According to the 2009 Foundation for Child Development (FCD) Child and Youth Well-Being Index (CWI) Report, it is likely that childhood obesity rates will rise throughout the current recession due to parents relying more heavily on low-cost fast food. The resulting increased rates of childhood obesity may also lead to increased rates of associated health concerns such as sleep apnea.
The FCD conducts the annual report to understand children, particularly the disadvantaged, and to promote their well-being. This year’s report included data focused on the impact that the current economic recession will have on America’s children.
The special focus report titled "Anticipating the Impacts of a 2008-2010 Recession" states, “In the health domain, one key indicator is the rate of overweight children and adolescents. As we noted in the first annual CWI report in 2004, this indicator has been on an increasing long-term upward trend since the 1970s. In addition, there may well be a “recession obesity” impact during 2008-2010. That is, if parents are less able to afford healthy food options for their children during the current recession and instead turn to low-cost fast-food, this indicator may show an additional increase in overweight and obese children above the increasing trend line.”