According to a report released today by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, childhood obesity is now the leading national health concern of parents for kids in 2008, higher than smoking and drug abuse.

Last year, childhood obesity ranked third among parents’ top 10 overall health concerns for kids.

“While recent studies have suggested that the childhood obesity epidemic may be leveling off, the results of this poll reveal that adults in the U.S. are still very much concerned about this issue,” said Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., director of the National Poll on Children’s Health.

New to the 2008 list of health concerns are bullying, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and environmental toxins.

Continued -The list:

  • 1. Childhood obesity. Thirty-five percent of adults ranked childhood obesity as their top overall health concern for children.

  • 2. Drug abuse. It was more likely to be listed as a top health concern among adults with lower incomes.

  • 3. Smoking. Ranked No. 1 in 2007, smoking now holds the No. 3 position.

  • 4. Bullying.

  • 5. Internet safety.

  • 6. Child abuse and neglect.

  • 7. Teen pregnancy. Black adults continue to rate teen pregnancy as the top health concern for youth in their community, with 35 percent reporting it’s a major health concern.

  • 8. Alcohol abuse. In 2007, alcohol abuse was ranked fourth overall.

  • 9. (tie) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD was a much greater concern among adults with low-income households.

  • 9. Sexually transmitted infection.

  • 10. (tie) Chemicals in the environment. The issue of environmental toxins was added to this year’s list, largely due to concerns among Hispanic adults and adults with low-income households.

  • 10. Not enough opportunities for physical activity.