Overweight and out of school

As children head back to the classroom, a new study finds school absenteeism is higher among overweight kids.
Obese fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders miss an average of 12 school days over the school year -- about two days more than their normal-weight peers, according to research published in the August issue of Obesity. The researchers don't know why obesity and absenteeism are linked, but the reasons are more likely to be psychosocial than medical, since there aren't as many medical issues at this young age. That said, childhood obesity has been linked with health problems such as asthma and type 2 diabetes.