News
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
September 2020
DID YOU KNOW THAT ONE IN THREE CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES IS OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE?
Being overweight or obese can put kids at risk later in life for diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. It's not too late for the child in your life, though! We want to give you the information you need to help keep your family healthy. Here are a few ideas for the entire family getting started on the road to better health.
Eat right!
- Find fun ways to make fruits and veggies a part of every meal.
- Eat more family meals together.
- Replace sugary drinks with water.
- Don't skip breakfast.
Stay active!
- Find ways to involve the whole family in exercise.
- Encourage after-school activities.
- Aim for the recommended amount of play time each day: at least 60 minutes.
Partner with your doctor
- Focus on health, not weight.
- Get regular check-ups.
Limit screen time
- Keep computers out of the kids' rooms.
- Aim for two hours or less per day of screen time (all screen types).
Be a good role model
- Teach by example.
- Don't use food as a reward.
- Show how eating healthy can be fun and rewarding.
The solution to fighting back against childhood obesity doesn't have to be complicated. Let's face it: when the family is busy, healthy choices aren't always the most convenient ones -- and that's okay. You don't have to start everything all at once. By working small changes into your routine over time and letting them become the norm, you can start to see big differences.