ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Public concern about childhood obesity is on the rise and it continues to outrank all other health problems as the No. 1 concern for children in the United States.
According to a report released today by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, the proportion of adults who believe childhood obesity is a big problem has increased from 35 percent of adults in 2008 to 42 percent in 2009.
While obesity has ranked as the top overall health concern for kids in the U.S. for the last two years, it has not always been the case for Hispanics or blacks.
"This is the first year the three major racial/ethnic groups all agree," says Matthew Davis, M.D., director of the poll. "In 2008, among whites, the chief concern was obesity, while among blacks the chief concern was teen pregnancy, and among Hispanics the chief concern was smoking."
In May 2009, the Poll asked adults to rate 23 different health concerns for children living in their communities.
Top 10 overall health concerns rated as a big problem for U.S. children in 2009:
1. Childhood obesity. Forty-two percent of U.S. adults rate childhood obesity as a big problem. In 2008, 35 percent of adults rated childhood obesity as the top overall health concern for children. In 2007, it was ranked No. 3.
2. Drug abuse. Thirty-six percent of U.S. adults rate drug abuse as a big problem for children and has held at No. 2 since 2007.
3. Smoking. Ranked No. 1 in 2007, smoking continues to hold the No. 3 position since 2008, with 32 percent of U.S. adults rating it as a big problem for kids.
4. Bullying. Holding at No. 4, 31 percent of U.S. adults rate bullying as a big problem for children.
5. Internet safety. Continu
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