The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital released a report this week that raises serious questions about the helpfulness of school-based programs aimed at obesity prevention.  The hospital polled 976 households with children ranging  in age from 6-14.  Of those who completed the survey, 82% reported that there was some type of prevention program being implemented in their child's school and 30% of those parents whose children are in a school with a prevention program reported that they had observed 'worrisome eating behaviors' in their children.

Most of the worrisome eating behaviors covered in the survey were found to have no association with the obesity prevention program.  However, a correlation was found between parents who believe their children exercise too much and exercise incentive programs.

Additionally, 7% of the parents reported that their children had been made to feel bad about what or how much they are eating.

While there are certainly limitations to these findings (a relatively small sample size and little is included in the report about exactly what types of programs these children are in), this survey does important questions about the efficacy of obesity prevention programs and whether or not they may actually be promoting unhealthy behaviors.  It also underscores the importance of researching these programs and the importance of parental involvement so that any worrisome behaviors or symptoms of eating disorders can be addressed early.

If you are a parent or student, have you noticed negative effects from obesity prevention programs?

_Source:

_{C.S. Mott Children Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.  School Obesity Programs May Promote Worrisome Eating Behaviors and Physical Activity in Kids.}

I've been working today on cleaning up and reorganizing the About.com Eating Disorders forum as I know that it has gone without a moderator for sometime now. Please check it out and join the conversation about eating disorders and related topics.  There are now folders for specific disorders, general discussion, support and encouragement as well as one specific folder for family and friends.

I would love for this to evolve into a supportive environment for you to connect with others who are going through similar struggles.  As such, please keep in mind that other sufferers will be reading your posts. Avoid using specific descriptions of eating disorder behaviors and avoid posting triggering numbers such as sizes, weights, calories etc. These types of posts are unhelpful and can actually be harmful to a person's recovery. Any post that is deemed inappropriate will be deleted.

Feel free to let me know if there is a topic that should be featured in its own folder! I look forward to lively discussions and support.

I ran across this article from the Huffington Post today, in which a seven-year old girl tells her mother that she thinks she is fat and that she wants to be skinny.  It takes every ounce of her mother's energy and thoughtfulness to break through to her, at least for that moment in time.  I am at once, both amazed at this mother's creativity and strength, and saddened by the sad reality that no one is immune to society's pressure to live up to the 'thin ideal.'

Building self-esteem and a positive body image in young girls seems to be so difficult sometimes.  How would you respond to your daughter in this situation?

Recently, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta released a new ad campaign aimed at reducing and preventing childhood obesity and improving children's health in the state of Georgia. It features photographs of overweight children along with statements such as "It's hard to be a little girl, if you're not." The campaign has come under fire from many people in the eating disorder treatment and prevention arenas as a shaming tactic that may actually do more harm than good.

The National Eating Disorders Association has released a statement saying "the ad campaign is most successful at shaming youth who are overweight and reinforcing societal prejudice against children who do not have an 'ideal' body type."

Writer, and shame researcher Brene' Brown also posted to her Facebook page this week in reference to the campaign, "Shame is often the cause and NEVER the cure. This 'anti-obesity' campaign will deeply hurt children. Kids may want to be spoken to directly, but they don't want to be reduced to their greatest struggle. None of us do. Heartbreaking."

I, personally, was shocked by this ad campaign, and the quote from Brene' Brown has really resonated with me. What are your thoughts? Do you think this ad campaign will help prevent childhood obesity? Or, do you think it creates more problems by shaming children?