Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity About 13% of children ages 6 to 11 and 14% of adolescents ages 12 to 19 are obese. And being obese can lead to health problems. Why are more and more children overweight and obese today than ever before? For most, the answers lie in how and what they eat and the lack of physical activity.

The food connection

The physical side

More families need both parents working. This may lead to less time for healthy meal planning.

Today’s children are the least active in history. Few of our schools require physical education anymore.

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Most community playgrounds have either closed, are not convenient or are not safe to use. Children watch television or use the computer instead of going outside and playing.

That’s why fast foods have become the answer to our time demands.

Processed foods allow us to get dinner on the table faster. We eat fewer fresh vegetables because it takes longer to cook them.

We often eat on the run. “I’ll grab a burger and fries” is a common answer to a quick meal.

And fast food restaurants and makers of sweet treats and other snack foods often market to children.

We have fewer community schools, so fewer children walk or ride a bicycle to school. Parents drive them or they ride a bus.

We also program children to “clean your plate”—that wasting food is a bad thing.

Copyright © 2003-2007 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.

Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. ®

Atlanta, GA 800-241-4925 Providing Quality Health Education Materials Since 1973

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Childhood Obesity Changing food habits

Get them moving

For the most part, children eat what they are given. And for most, what they eat is habit forming.

If physical education is offered at your child’s school, require that it be taken. Talk with the school about setting up a program if it is not offered.

Less than 10% of your child’s daily calories should come from fats. And about 65% of calories should come from carbohydrates.

Try these tips:

Limit the amount of time your child can watch TV or play on the computer each day. Encourage him or her to get outside and play.

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• Fresh fruits instead of cookies can help control calories in snacks.

• Serve fewer fried foods, sweets and other fatty foods.

• Cook fresh or frozen vegetables with less fat.

• Limit fast food to once a week or less.

• Cut down on portion sizes at each meal.

• Serve more fiber (it tends to make you feel full).

Look for communities that have a safe playground close by for your child to use.

As a family, you may want to start riding bicycles or walking together. Being more active will help you, too, and your children will enjoy this quality time with you. Stay involved. It will be time well spent.

• Plan ahead. Know what you need from the grocery store.

• Teach your child to read food labels. Make it a game (Example: What has less fat?).

• Do not keep high calorie foods around.

Copyright © 2003-2007 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.

Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. ®

Atlanta, GA 800-241-4925 Providing Quality Health Education Materials Since 1973

Change one thing at a time.