What Kids Think About Childhood Obesity
Nowadays, adults are getting worried with the rising numbers of overweight kids. Kids know it also. In a KidsPoll, 1,168 boys and girls were asked on the issue and it was found out that 52% of them agreed that there are too many overweight kids.
“This is important because knowing there is a problem is the first step to getting answers to solve the problem,” says Dr. Sandra Hassink. Dr. Hassink is a doctor in Delaware who has been helping kids resolve their weight problems. So, read on to find out more about the issue on childhood weight problems.
A Guide For Better Kids Nutrition
A study has indicated that parenting styles are linked to family meals. In turn, family meals also have an effect on adolescents’ eating habits. The University of Minnesota has found that children with authoritative parents take on family meals more frequently.
According to the university’s data, family meals tend to persuade adolescents to take on healthier diets. Thus, parents need to be authoritative. When they are, they tend to emphasize more on family meals – thereby helping their kids grow healthier.
Ways to Get Kids to Eat Better
Children have different eating habits. Some may be picky eaters while some will try just anything. Getting children to eat better is extremely difficult. So, here are some diet suggestions for kids to eat better:
Schedule. To give your children a healthier and balanced diet, they need to be able to eat every three to four hours which consists of three meals, two snacks, and plenty of fluids. If this is done, your children will be less irritable and won’t be feeling hungry at all. So, whenever you’re going on a trip or just anywhere with your children, always put a cooler in your car. Stock it up with carrots, pretzels, yogurt, and water. That way, you wouldn’t have to bank on fast foods or junk from vending machines in schools.
Minorities Face Childhood Obesity and Must Not Fall Behind with Healthy Initiatives
Ethnic and racial discrepancies in childhood obesity have been growing. Thus, physicians have to do more. A new study says that physicians need to strive harder in minimizing those discrepancies as well as in alleviating obesity.
Furthermore, the study’s lead author has been giving recommendations to help alleviate obesity. In every checkup, pediatricians and family physicians need to assess children’s and adolescents’ body mass index (BMI) and concerns regarding nutrition and weight should be thoroughly discussed with parents as well. Additionally, doctors should also promote local, state and national policies that are geared towards obesity reduction among children and adolescents.
New Program Tackles Childhood Obesity in Tween Boys
One of the most at-risk groups for childhood obesity and early onset diabetes is “tween” boys between the ages of roughly 9-13. The problem can be quantified by analyzing the habits of boys in this range: they have passed the ages where imagination and outside play peaks and oftentimes their metabolisms have not yet started climbing towards their teen year peaks. On top of that, they seem to have an affinity for video games or television and high-calorie foods like sodas and sweets. This tremendously increases their chances of struggling with early onset obesity.
However, there is hope for tween boys in managing the increased risks of these “awkward years” and making sure that they remain healthy and happy into their teens. Meet Dr. Eileen Kennedy, a pediatric psychologist who works with a new program called Fit Youth which is based at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. Since 2005, Kennedy has directly helped 211 families with kids ages 7 to 16 who were struggling with childhood obesity. The Fit Youth program only accepts children with BMIs for age in the 95th percentile and above, meaning that out of a group of 100 kids they would only accept the 5 children who were heaviest for their height.
Healthy Eating Tips for After School Snacks
Greensboro, North Carolina’s Stokes County Center, lives up to its mission of collaborating with communities so they could deliver nutrition education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. They have provided a lot of programs all for the benefits of the residents of North Carolina, including both adults and children. To help alleviate kids’ devotion to chips and all unhealthy snacks, the Stokes County Center’s Stokes Cooperative Extension Office initiated a summer camp which gave kids the opportunity to have fun and at the same time, make healthy snacks on their own.
Twins’ Morgan and Brittany Rodgers, who went to 4-H of the summer at the Stokes Cooperative Extension Office, has learned a lot from the experience. The summer camp taught them how to eat healthy by making healthy after school snacks. They say these healthy snacks made them feel healthier and better.
Obesity in America Needs to be Addressed
In America, obesity has already become an epidemic that puts the health of numerous American children at risk. Many of these children won’t live longer due to obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, circulatory disease, sleep apnea, arthritis and so many more. Family income as well as the government’s funds will be spent on obesity-related problems and even dreams will be shut out.
Just as childhood obesity begins at home, so does its prevention or reduction – it must start and be carried on within the four walls of the home. Even if the baby is still inside the mother’s womb, expectant mothers should diligently monitor their weight as this will likely affect the baby’s weight as well. In fact, recent studies have already implied that excessive, prenatal weight gain significantly raises the possibilities that the child in the mother’s womb will be struggling with obesity.
In the August issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study focused on assessing the dietary patterns of early childhood. Based on the study, children, ages three to four who take in less greasy foods and more of the dark green and deep yellow vegetables were less likely to be overweight at age eight. All the more, this type of diet paved the way for the children’s healthier and stronger bones at age eight.
Back to School Healthy Student Tips
School demands a lot from students. Homework, school projects, extra co-curricular activities, examinations and others keep students busy and exhausted. Since it’s a must for students to learn in school, they should eat and live healthy.
- Breakfast is a must because it provides energy for the brain so they continue learning in school. Second, breakfast helps them maintain a healthy weight. So, do insist your children to eat breakfast and never miss one every day.
- Snacking can be healthy. Just don’t overeat and do not rely on greasy, unhealthy fast food types of snacks. Ensure that you have nutritious foods (e.g. veggies, fruits, cheese sticks, low-fat yogurt, butter-free popcorn, etc.) at home so your children can easily munch on their healthy snacks.
American Diabetes Association Cheers for New Healthy Kids Act
The American Diabetes Association is an organization geared towards “preventing and curing diabetes and improving the lives of all people affected by diabetes”. The association expressed their approval for the U.S. Senate’s action on passing the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act. Through this act, the House of Representatives can already vote to pave the way for the various federal nutrition programs that will be expiring on September 30, 2010.
Because of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, schools can already provide healthy and nutritious meals to students through the school lunch program Furthermore, schools will also get rid of the junk foods and high cholesterol beverages from the vending machines and a la carte lines. Aside from schools, low-income women, infants and children are also encompassed in this bill.
The First Lady’s “Let’s Move” Project Promotion at the NAACP Convention
During the 101st National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Convention in Kansas City, Mo., First Lady Michelle Obama strongly promoted her “Let’s Move” project. Thousands were there to hear her speak about childhood obesity, eating healthy and proper exercise. Moreover, it was a great opportunity for her to talk on the project and of what it can do for our children and the communities we live in as well.
The First Lady believes that children need basic nutrition to learn and do more. “See, we can build our kids the best schools on earth, but if they don’t have the basic nutrition they need to concentrate, they’re still going to have a challenge learning. And we can create the best jobs in the world — we must — but that won’t mean that folks will have the energy and the stamina to actually do those jobs,” Mrs. Obama said.