Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States, with more than 23 million children ages two to 19 being obese or overweight. According to the CDC, obesity in children has more than doubled in children and tripled in the past 30 years. Also, nearly one third of American children are at early risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Every September marks National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month (COAM). The mission of COAM is to motivate families and communities to become healthier. This goes hand-in-hand with BYO’s mission: to create play for children nationwide, regardless of budget. Every child should have access to playgrounds and play spaces that give them the opportunity to learn, grow, exercise, and be healthy.
The CDC states that overweight and obesity are the result of caloric imbalance. This means too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed. As a result, children are affected by various genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. Additionally, “obesity prevalence was 13.9% among 2- to 5-year-olds and 18.4% among 6- to 11-year-olds.”
Childhood Obesity Resources
Lifestyle changes can prevent and help reverse childhood obesity. Eating healthy meals and being physically active and fit as individuals, families and communities can have a big impact. Also, children need positive role models who can teach them about being healthy, not only through words but also actions. Moreover, Schools can make changes to support and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Start with physical education and recess and move towards a more nutritional lunch program.
Also, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:
- Rewarding children with sweets
- Implementing a clean-plate policy at meals
- Taking the opposite extreme and banning all sweets
- Labeling sweets as “bad food”
From KidsHealth.org,
The key to keeping kids of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family approach. Make healthy eating and exercise a family affair. Get your kids involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals. Take them along when you go grocery shopping. Teach them how to make good food choices.
Let’s Move Initiative
A great resource is Let’s Move, an initiative dedicated to solving the problem of obesity. It provides information about the issue, nutrition, physical activity and ways that everyone can take action and fight against childhood obesity.
At the 2010 launch of Let’s Move!, President Obama established a Task Force on Childhood Obesity, stating, ” we must accelerate implementation of successful strategies that will prevent and combat obesity…and [empower] parents and caregivers with the information and tools they need to make good choices for themselves and their families. They will help our children develop lifelong healthy habits, ensuring they reach their greatest potential toward building a healthier and more prosperous America.”
Finally, throughout the month of September, we will be focusing on the childhood obesity issue and how to help reverse this epidemic! Visit our blog weekly and our Facebook page to learn more about the issue and what you can do to help!
