Does Avoiding The Sun Tip The Scales?

Over the past few months, more and more news outlets have been reporting on the rising rate of childhood and adult obesity in the United States. While this issue has made headlines nationwide, the public still is receiving conflicting health messages from government agencies regarding physical activity and avoiding sun exposure. So, are we getting bigger by avoiding the sun? The unfortunate answer is probably yes.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Health and Human Services (HHS) tells us to increase our physical activity while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tells us to avoid sun exposure. It’s time for these governmental agencies to get together and agree on a message that details the benefits on the obesity epidemic of engaging in prudent, moderate sun exposure and physical activity.

According to the CDC (www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity), the prevalence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years—from 7 percent in 1980 to 16 percent in 2002. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled—increasing from 5 percent to 16 percent. Overweight is the result of caloric imbalance (fewer calories expended than consumed) and is mediated by genetics and health.

An estimated 61 percent of overweight young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart disease such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Additionally, overweight children are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as social stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

Overweight young people are more likely than children of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults. This makes them more at risk for associated adult health problems such as heart disease, Type II diabetes, stroke, cancer and osteoarthritis. Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing related diseases.

According to the American Obesity Association (www.obesity.org/subs/childhood), there are many good ways that parents can establish a lifetime of healthy habits for their families. Start by creating an active environment by making time for the entire family to participate in regular physical activities that everyone enjoys. Try walking, bicycling or rollerblading. Plan physically active family outings such as a hiking or skiing. Start a neighborhood program to engage in group activities like touch football, basketball, tag or hide-and-seek. Assign physically active chores such as vacuuming, washing the car or mowing the lawn to every member of the family. Be sure to rotate the schedule of chores to avoid boredom from routine.

Many of these prudent suggestions involve engaging in UV exposure and are seemingly juxtaposed to the FDA’s position from “The Darker Side of Tanning” (www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html) that states: “Plan your outdoor activities to avoid the sun’s strongest rays. As a general rule, avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.”

Perhaps these government agencies should assemble and produce a position that we, the public, can embrace. A position that encourages prudent exposure to sunlight while engaging in outdoor physical activity would reduce at least one factor of obesity.