Childhood Obesity Overweight Overweight is defined as having
Childhood Obesity & Overweight • Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. • Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.
Health Effects • Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and arthritis. • One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults.
Prevention • Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. • Consuming fruits, vegetables, and items from the five basic food groups, along with adequate amounts of fluids such as water, milk (fat free, 1%, or low fat), and juices that are 100% can account for healthy eating. • One hour of age appropriate physical activities per day can reduce the risk of becoming obese. E. g. walking, playing a ball game, dancing running, or doing house-hold chores.
Food & Fun Activities for You & Your Child • Eat right and be active. • Might be difficult to do but once put into practice, can be beneficial to you, and your family as a whole
Creating a Foundation • Every parent want the best for their children, especially when it comes to their health and overall well-being. • Studies show that eating healthy and being active is the key to good health. • Children need to consume nutritious foods and engage in physical activities in order to grow and develop.
Creating the Foundation cont’d. • As parents we have to set good examples. • What foods and activities we introduce our children to, is what they will part-take in. (a)e. g. fruits and vegetables vs chips and sugary drinks. (b) an active lifestyle vs a sedentary lifestyle. • Community based organizations e. g. WIC, schools, and health centers play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors.
Accomplishments • Studies showed that there is a 43% decrease in obesity rates among children ages 2 to 5 years of age, who are on the WIC program. • Children are consuming fewer calories from sugary beverages e. g. Caprisun, Hi-C, and Hawaiian Punch, as well as trans-fats. ( Fats that has been converted from liquid to solid. Ex. Shortening, might be found in doughnuts, cookies, muffins etc. ) • More women are breast feeding which leads to a healthier range of weight gain for young children.
Children ages 1 -5 • At this age children try to develop a level of independence. • Toddlers express their independence by choosing to eat or not to eat. • Children this age are picky eaters because they are developing a tolerance or an intolerance for taste and texture. • They may desire the same food over a period of days, such as mac & cheese. • Parents determine what their children consume.
Consume Nutrients form all Food Groups • Both adults and children need Carbohydrates • Supply a source of energy • Complex carbs (better carbs) brown rice, whole grain breads, and cereals. ( complex carbs breakdown slowly in the body, keep us full longer). • Simple carbs (bad carbs) white rice, white flour, sugary drinks. (Simple carbs breakdown quickly, make us hungry faster).
Food groups cont’d • Proteins: Builds and repairs body tissues and muscles. found in red meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and legumes. • Fats: An adequate amount of fat is required for growth and development. Provides energy, insulate tissues of the nervous system. They help to absorb fat soluble vitamins enables us to feel satisfied, thus reducing chances of over-eating. • Fiber: Moves food through the digestive system. It makes us feel full lowers bad cholesterol(LDL). Found in fruits e. g. apples, oranges, and prunes, as well as vegetables e. g. broccoli, carrots, and green peas.
Food groups cont’d • Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins and minerals are considered essential nutrients—because they act in concert to perform hundreds of roles in the body. They help to strengthen bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair damaged cells. • Sodium: Helps to maintain fluid balance in the body. It also helps to regulate the functions of our muscles. (use in moderation)
Sources • Craft, Craig: Active Play Fun physical activities for young children. • Gavin, Dowshen, Izelberg: Fit Kids A practical guide to raising healthy and active children from birth to teens. • Take Care New York • www. cdc. gov
- Slides: 12