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What Experts Say About Pediatric Research A survey shows that an epidemic of obesity in children is their top concern Keeping children safe when they play outside is a top priority for parents. While today’s main worry is unintentional injury, such as drowning and falls, in the 1950s polio made a visit to the local playground or swimming pool a serious health risk. Removal of that threat was due to the work of Jonas Salk and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. In fact, thanks to vaccination research completed at children’s hospitals, most parents today don’t even know about the panic a feverish child once caused. But according to a survey of top pediatric researchers from around the country, a new epidemic threatening children is being overlooked — obesity. The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) found that the majority of pediatric researchers polled feel that childhood obesity is not receiving enough attention and that work on it is severely underfunded. While the researchers said they believe that breakthroughs in endocrinology — the study of glands and hormones that can affect weight — are near, they believed obesity needs more exploration. Researchers also cautioned parents to be wary when receiving information from the media on childhood diseases and disorders. Although television and magazines have covered such issues as learning disabilities, autism and depression in children and teens, almost 80 percent of the researchers stated that the information given rated only fair to poor. The results of the poll will be used by NACHRI to help educate the media, policymakers and the public about the essential role that children’s hospitals play in the lives of all children. For more insight into what researchers think about health policy, research priorities and other children’s health issues, visit www.childrenshospitals.net.