Tackling Childhood Obesity
By Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD
September starts this week, marking Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. According to recent estimates, over 19% of children and adolescents in the United States have obesity. The prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents over the past 30 years.
There are many things that influence childhood obesity, including genetic, behavioral, socioeconomic, environmental, psychological, cultural, political, and social factors. In addition, the rate of childhood obesity has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Black and Hispanic children, as well as those from low-income households, are more likely to have obesity compared to non-Hispanic white and Asian children and those from high-income families.
Childhood obesity has been a growing concern in recent years, as it increases the risk for health problems like asthma, bone and joint issues, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, among others. Young people who are overweight or obese may also experience bullying and suffer from depression and self-esteem issues.
There is no one solution for a complex issue like childhood obesity. However, there are steps you can take to prevent and manage overweight and obesity in kids and adolescents.
Here are some tips:
Avoid diets, restrictions, or weight goals. Dieting in children can backfire. It may prevent them from getting the nutrients they need and/or lead them to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. Instead, encourage eating a variety of healthful foods, regular activity, and other healthy habits. Be careful not to refer to foods as “good” or “bad.”
Make it a family activity. Work together with your entire family, not just the child who is overweight, to make gradual behavioral changes. Incorporate fun activities or new traditions to get everyone involved. For example, you can rotate which family member chooses a healthy recipe for dinner each week to increase awareness of good nutrition. After eating, lead everyone on a group walk or play a game of pick-up soccer or touch football to establish a new routine.
Set specific meal and snack times. Instead of having food available at all times, establish set meal and snack times. Prepare balanced meals and snacks and put them out at the scheduled times. This way, your children will have a healthy option in front of them and won’t feel the need to check the fridge or cabinets for a less nutritious choice. If a child wants food at another time, gently remind them about the next upcoming meal or snack.
Monitor screen time. As sedentary behavior in front of screens increases, physical activity usually decreases. Limit the time your children spend in front of the TV or computer to at most two hours per day. Getting them involved in planning meals, grocery shopping, cooking, and family exercise is one way to reduce screen time.
Note from Healthy For Life Meals: We support healthy eating at all stages of life, and are committed to helping curb the problem of childhood obesity in our country. We are proud to have participated in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Pediatric School of Medicine, in a multi-year randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Healthy For Life’s pre-prepared, nutritionally controlled meal service on weight loss and cardiometabolic/vascular outcomes among 142 adolescents with severe obesity. This research targets a significant public health problem, will utilize an innovative treatment concept and approach, and will generate new knowledge to guide selection of treatment type and intensification, ultimately exerting a powerful and sustained influence on the field of pediatric obesity. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Healthy For Life Meals continues to be a resource for adults and children alike. Review our nutrition information and order today for fresh, nutritionally controlled meals delivered to your door next week.