Childhood Obesity

• The facts
• Our activities
• Other resources

The numbers

• Obesity is the second-most preventable cause of death, after smoking.
  


• In Texas, more than 25% of kids age 6 - 18 are overweight or obese.
  


• For the first time in recorded history, Texas adolescents are considered less healthy than their parents were at the same age.
  


• Nationwide, about 25-million kids are overweight or at-risk of becoming overweight.
  


• Within the past 20 years, the prevalence of overweight children (ages 6 -11) has doubled, and the prevalence of overweight adolescents (ages 12 -18) has tripled.
  


• Excess weight can lead kids to emotional problems, such as low self-esteem, behavior and learning concerns, and depression.
• About 1 of every 20 Texas kids is developing signs of diabetes.
  


• About 60% of overweight children ages 5 - 10 already have one risk factor for heart disease.
  


• Most excess weight is caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little; genetic diseases affect an extremely small proportion of kids.

Sources: Mayo Clinic; American Obesity Association; Texas State Department of Health Services; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Risk factors for childhood obesity.

• High-sugar, high-calorie diet
  


• Sedentary lifestyle (excessive TV-watching and video-game playing)
  


• Family history of obesity, obesity-related health risks, smoking or sedentary behaviors
  


• Use of food to cope with problems, or handle emotions like stress or boredom
  


• Family/social factors that don't support a healthy lifestyle
  


• Taller height
  


• Smoking initiation

Preventing childhood obesity.
The best way to prevent obesity in your children is to be a good example yourself.

• Eat breakfast every day.
  


• Plan times when you and your children can prepare foods together.
  


• Sit down together for family meals.
  


• Put colorful food on the table: green and yellow vegetables, various colored fruits, brown (whole-grain) breads and rice.
  


• Make sure you've got plenty of time for meals.
  


• Serve small portions, and let your children ask for more if they're still hungry.
  


• Don't force your children to eat if they're not hungry.
  


• Don't use food as a reward or punishment.
  


• Let children try new foods they don't like initially several times before giving up.
  


• Be active and invite your children to join you.
  


• Talk with your children about the non-weight-related benefits of exercise, like making our bodies stronger.
  


• Plan special active family outings, like a hiking or ski trip.
  


• Initiate an active neighborhood program, where neighbor families play basketball or ride bikes together.

Determining whether your child is overweight or at-risk.
The best way to determine whether your child is overweight or at-risk of becoming overweight is to consult your healthcare provider.

Dealing with childhood obesity.
For children under age 7 who have no other health concerns, the goal of treatment may be weight maintenance rather than weight loss. For children over age 7, or younger children who have related health concerns, weight loss is usually recommended.

Weight loss among children should be slow and steady. Children should simply eat healthier and be more active. Small changes can make a big difference in a child's health.

Eating healthier.
Parents buy and cook the food within the household, and decide where and when it's eaten.

• Choose fruits and vegetables over convenience foods high in sugar or fat.
  


• Always have healthy snacks available.
  


• Learn how to read and understand food labels.
  


• Choose lower-fat recipes and methods of cooking (e.g., baking rather than frying).
  


• Limit white, high-carb foods like rice, pasta, bleached bread and desserts.
  


• Limit sweetened beverages, including juice. Offer low-fat milk or water.
  


• Limit how often you eat out, especially fast food.
  


• Don't eat in front of the TV or computer.
  


• Consider consulting with a dietician or nutritionist who specializes in children's diet.

Some healthy snack suggestions:

• fresh fruit
  


• fruit canned in juice or light syrup
  


• small amounts of dried fruits
  


• fresh vegetables
  


• reduced fat cheese or a little peanut butter on whole-wheat crackers
  


• low-fat yogurt with fruit
  


• graham crackers, animal crackers or low-fat vanilla wafers
  

Moving more.
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends moderate physical activity for children for a minimum of 60 minutes every day.

• Limit "screen time" (in front of a TV or computer) to less than two hours a day.
  


• Emphasize activity, not exercise. Free-play activities like hide-and-seek or tag promote fitness and fun.
  


• Find activities your child likes to do, like a walk or bike to the library for bookworms.
  


• Vary activities. Let your children take turns choosing the activity of the day or week for the family.
  


• Encourage your child to join a sports team or class.
  


• Involve all family members in chores.
  


• If you've got a pet, then make it your children's duty to exercise it daily.
  

Doing it together.
Children can't change their lifestyle by themselves. Commit to new healthy habits and behaviors as a family, and make sure everybody stays with the plan.

• Small, gradual changes are easiest to follow and incorporate into your daily lives.
  


• Focus on long-term diet and activity changes, not quick fixes.
  


• Set specific, achievable goals for each family member and determine family goals.
  


• Set weekly activity goals together as a family.
  


• Work together to identify high-risk situations and avoid them.
  


• Determine rewards for achieving goals together, and make sure they don't undermine your efforts.
  


• Reward specific, positive actions, like eating healthy snacks for a week or walking two miles within 45 minutes.

Handling the feelings.
Talk directly and openly with your children about their health and weight, without being critical or judgmental.

• Accept your children, whatever their weight.
  


• Talk about their feelings, and listen to their concerns about their weight and health.
  


• Tell your children they are loved, are special and are important, and build up their self-esteem at every opportunity.
  


• Help your children focus on positive goals, and find reasons to praise their efforts.
  


• Be sensitive that they might interpret your concern as an insult.

Taking action

The Governor's Commission for Women is extremely supportive of Governor Perry's a Texas Round-Up 10K run and festival; and a challenge from the Governor designed to encourage all Texas communities to participate.

Related resources

• Texas Round-Up
  The Texas Round-Up is a statewide initiative launched by Governor Rick Perry to encourage all Texans to incorporate daily physical activity and healthy choices into their lives.
  www.texasroundup.org
  


• Building Healthy Families
  The Texas Department of State Health Services launched the Building Healthy Families initiative in 2004, to raise awareness of the health risks associated with obesity in adults and children, and to inspire small lifestyle changes that can lead Texans to live healthier lives through more physical activity and better food choices.
  www.dshs.state.tx.us/dshstoday/obesity.shtm
  


• The Oliver Foundation
  The mission of the Houston-based Oliver Foundation is to create effective partnerships, provide resources, and help develop sustainable family, community, and program practices concentrated on a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Current efforts are directed toward physical activity and healthy eating solutions for Texas children and families.
  www.oliverfoundation.org
  


• Useful tool from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx
  


• MayoClinic.com - Childhood Obesity
  Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of virtually every type of complex illness. Their website provides information and tools that reflect the expertise of the clinic's 2,500 physicians and scientists. The childhood obesity section is extremely comprehensive.
  www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhood-obesity/DS00698
  


• Healthy Lifestyles & Disease Prevention Campaign
  A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program intended to help Americans make small dietary and activity changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle. This website features separate sections for adults/teens and children.
  www.smallstep.gov
  


• We Can!
  We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a collaboration of four Institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and is a national program designed as a one-stop resource for parents and caregivers interested in practical tools to help children 8 - 13 years old maintain a healthy weight.
  www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan
  


• Eat Smart Play Hard
  Eat Smart Play Hard is a national nutrition education and promotion campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to convey science-based, behavior-focused and motivational messages about healthy eating and physical activity.
  www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard
  


• MyPyramid.gov
  MyPyramid Plan was created by the U.S. Departmet of Agriculture to help people choose the right types and amounts of food for them. The site features a separate kids section with games and other materials to help children understand the food pyramid.
  www.mypyramid.gov
  


• Square Meals
  The Texas Department of Agriculture's Square Meals website offers parents the latest news on providing the most nutritious meals for their family and a variety of materials designed to help them navigate their way to good nutrition.
  www.squaremeals.org/fn/render/parent/channel/0,1253,2348_2369_0_0,00.html
  


• Weight-control Information Network (WIN)
  WIN was developed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to provide the public, healthcare professionals, the media and Congress with current, science-based information on weight control, nutrition, physical activity and obesity.
  win.niddk.nih.gov
  


• American Obesity Association - Childhood Obesity
  The American Obesity Association is working to change public policy and perceptions about obesity by recognizing obesity as a complex disease involving more than personal behavior. The childhood obesity section offers information about the prevalence, identification, causes, prevention, health risks, diagnosis and treatment of childhood obesity.
  obesity.org/subs/childhood
  


• Body And Mind (BAM)
  From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this website is designed especially for kids, and includes information on food and nutrition, physical activity, diseases and safety.
  www.bam.gov
  


• KidsHealth - Overweight & Obesity
  KidsHealth is an award-winning website created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media to provide families with accurate, current and plain-spoken health information. The site features separate sections for children, teens and parents, each featuring in-depth articles, animations, games and other resources developed by experts in children's health.
  kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/overweight_obesity.html
  


• Kidnetic.com
  A program of the International Food Information Council, Kidnetic.com is a healthy eating and active living website designed for kids 9 - 12 and their families, to inspire them to move toward healthier lifestyles. The site features separate sections for kids and parents.
  www.kidnetic.com
  


• Red-Yellow-Green Weight Control System
  Two websites offer information about this easy, fun way to help kids understand and practice good nutrition. Foods are assigned traffic-light colors and meanings: "Red/Stop" foods are junk foods; "Yellow/Slow down" foods are important to eat in moderation, like meats, dairy products, whole grains and starchy vegetables; "Green/Go" foods are all colorful fruits and vegetables.
  www.amazingkids.org/red_yellow_green.asp
  www.solveobesity.com/Phase2/Max-Glycine/lesson_plans_print.html
  


• TV-Turnoff Network
  The TV-Turnoff Network is a national nonprofit organization working to encourage children and adults to watch less television and play fewer video games, in order to promote healthier lives and communities.
  www.tvturnoff.org