Kids overweight, parents in denial

Many parents of obese children are surprised when doctors tell them their child’s weight is a health risk, a study finds.

UC San Diego researchers surveyed more than 200 parents whose primary care doctors referred their children to obesity clinics, finding that nearly one-third believed their child to be in good health and were unconcerned by their child’s weight, according to SFGate.com. In fact, 31.4 percent said their child’s health was “excellent” or “very good” when they enrolled.

The researchers also found that more parents were interested in improving their kids’ diets than increasing levels of physical activity, perhaps because some perceive the cost and time commitment of joining team sports or a gym as more daunting than altering eating habits.