Preventing childhood obesity

Preventing

Childhood Obesity

July 2013 Brigham Young University-Idaho

Contents Introduction ............................................... 1 Where it all starts ....................................... 2 Nutrition as an infant ................................ 5 Nutrition as a toddler ............................... 6 Nutrition as a school age child .............. 8 Nutrition as a teen .................................. 10 Tips for parents and families ................. 12 Health Education in Schools ................. 13 Conclusion .............................................. 15 Appendix ................................................. 16 Sources ......................................... 16 Interviews ...................................... 17 Authors .......................................... 21

Introduction Obesity and weight related struggles in adolescents and children have nearly tripled in the past thirty years. Having a BMI (body mass index) above the 85th percentile constitutes a child as being overweight or obese. With each new year the percentages of our youth dealing with obesity increase, as do the health risks associated with excessive weight. Obesity is caused by “caloric imbalance”, or when an individual doesn’t burn off enough calories to counter the calorie intake of a diet. The issue comes down to the choice in lifestyle parents or families create for children which becomes habit.

There are many factors that can lead to childhood obesity including: diet while in the womb, physical activity, portion size, genetics, diet, and lifestyle.

Though all children grow and develop at different times, rates, and in different ways, habits are still formed which can lead to future struggles with weight.

Obesity does not just impact a child’s clothing size, but can lead to struggles with self-esteem and many health problems both immediate and others that can linger throughout a their life. Obesity has been shown to lead to depression, cardiovascular disease, pre-diabetes, bone and joint problems, stroke, various kinds of cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, asthma, liver disease and many others. With the growing rates of childhood obesity, education, parental and community involvement are the solution to help fight this growing threat to our youth.

Childhood obesity is growing and spreading at such an abundant rate that it is no longer just the concern of parents and their children. Communities, neighbors, families, educators, and many others are pulling together to encourage and help make change a reachable goal for these youth. Small steps result in change and may be just enough to save a child from a lifetime of health complications and struggles.

By learning to recognize and understand childhood obesity we can learn to approach and help those struggling, who may not know how it happened or where to turn for help. Taking action is the only option we have to help the children of today live a better life tomorrow.

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Where it All Starts The solution starts before a child is even born. It all begins during pregnancy. A pregnant mother greatly affects the future health of her unborn child by what she consumes. What she eats will determine the health and strength of her infant’s body as it forms inside her own.

Pregnant mothers need 300 extra calories during pregnancy to support their baby. The extra food you eat should not consist of empty calories; rather it must provide the nutrients your growing baby needs as well as yourself. You might be asking where these extra calories go. Below is the breakdown of a mother’s weight gain distribution. A healthy pregnancy will typically add 25-35 pounds to the mother’s weight.

Average weight distribution of a healthy pregnancy.

nds: extra blood

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A healthy diet includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water. See the following chart for what all these essential nutrients do for your baby’s development (KidsHealth).

Nutrient

Needed for

Best sources

Protein

cell growth and blood production

lean meat, fish, poultry, egg whites, beans, peanut butter, tofu

Carbohydrates

daily energy production

breads, cereals, rice, potatoes, pasta, fruits, vegetables

Calcium

strong bones and teeth, muscle

milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines or salmon with

contraction, nerve function

bones, spinach

red blood cell production (to

lean red meat, spinach, iron-fortified whole-

prevent anemia)

grain breads and cereals

Vitamin A

healthy skin, good eye sight, growing bones

carrots, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes

Vitamin C

healthy gums, teeth, and bones;

citrus fruit, broccoli, tomatoes, fortified fruit

assistance with iron absorption

juices

red blood cell formation; effective

pork, ham, whole-grain cereals, bananas

Iron

Vitamin B6

use of protein, fat, and carbohydrates Vitamin B12

formation of red blood cells,

meat, fish, poultry, milk

maintaining nervous system health

(Note: vegetarians who don't eat dairy products need supplemental B12.)

Vitamin D

Folic acid

Fat

healthy bones and teeth; aids

fortified milk, dairy products, cereals, and

absorption of calcium

breads

blood and protein production, effective

green leafy vegetables, dark yellow fruits and

enzyme function

vegetables, beans , peas, nuts

body energy stores

meat, whole-milk dairy products, nuts, peanut butter, margarine, vegetable oils (Note: limit fat intake to 30% or less of your total daily calorie intake.)

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Here are some examples of what these essential nutrients do for your growing baby: Calcium- provides the nutrients to help and keep bones and teeth strong.

Folic Acid- helps prevent spina bifida and other neural tube defects which occur during the earliest stages of fetal development.

Omega-3s and Fatty Acids- help to develop the brain, eyes, and are linked to future development of hand-eye coordination, social interactions, and visual learning skills.

Proteins- amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of your body's cells – and of your baby's body as well.

As always there are foods one should not consume during pregnancy:        

drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeinated beverages soft, unpasteurized cheeses (often advertised as "fresh") such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse and tiramisu raw or undercooked meats, fish, or shellfish processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats (these should be thoroughly cooked) fish that are high in mercury, including shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish high amounts of fat and sugar or extra calories that will add extra fat to your unborn baby

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Nutrition as an Infant Over feeding your infant is linked to child obesity. There is now a mass of evidence to support the concept that a heavy child is likely to grow into an overweight adult. There are multiple studies that strongly favor the concept that excessive weight, once established in childhood, tends to persist. It has also been found that rapid weight gain in infancy is significantly associated with weight in adolescent boys, and the same trend is being observed in girls. On this basis one could conclude infant growth patterns could possibly identify those individuals with a greater propensity to become obese adolescents and eventually adults.

A study of formula fed primates was conducted in 1986 and found that different levels of food intake in early life can indeed have a marked influence on adult adiposity (fat) and body mass. The primate study concluded breast fed and formula fed primates have developed different regulatory responses in cholesterol and metabolism.

“The breast-fed baboons proved to have a higher concentration of total, VLDL and LDL cholesterol than those originally formula-fed. Breast-feeding followed by a highsaturated fatty acid intake also led to a lower HDL cholesterol concentration than in formula-fed animals, but the impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids on HDL cholesterol concentrations was very different in the breastfed and bottle-fed baboons. Whereas a prolonged diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids increased HDL cholesterol levels, the same diet in animals initially formula-fed decreased cholesterol concentrations. Thus, the delayed effects of breast-feeding involve profound changes in the regulatory responses in cholesterol and/or lipoprotein metabolism to adult diets (International Dietary Energy Consultancy Group, 1989).”

Experts conclude that if a child is over fed or underfed, as a developing infant, they will likely follow these trends throughout their life (International Dietary Energy Consultancy Group, 1989).

It is easier to over feed an infant formula than to over feed a breast fed baby. A mother’s body adjusts to the babies demand, making more or less milk based on the demand whereas a formula fed baby’s intake is greatly controlled by the bottle’s administer. Parents and caregivers should take heed to carefully notice their baby’s cues so they do not overfeed. Experts still agree that breast-feeding is best.

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Nutrition as a Toddler After having almost complete control over what your baby eats for approximately 12 months, parents often find it challenging to feed their now opinionated toddler.

The science behind why toddlers are picky eaters.

“After a year of rapid growth (the average one-year-old has tripled her birth weight), toddlers gain weight more slowly. So, of course, they need less food. The fact that these little ones are always on the go also affects their eating patterns. They don't sit still for anything, even food. Snacking their way through the day is more compatible with these busy explorers' lifestyle than sitting down to a full-fledged feast (Ask Dr. Sears).”

Toddlers have preferences that are extremely strong. They tend to have erratic eating habits that follow their mood swings. Because of their moods they might want vegetables one day and not the next. As a goal parents should aim for a nutritionally balanced week, not necessarily a balanced day.

Guidelines for Feeding Toddlers Toddlers need between 1,000 and 1,300 calories per day (Ask Dr. Sears). 

Fruit- 3-4 servings a day: fruit- 1/2 to 1 small fruit, 2 to 4 tbsp canned fruit



Vegetables- 3 servings a day: 2 to 3 tbsp cooked vegetables

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Dairy- 4 to 5 servings a day: dairy- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk for 2 years or younger) per serving or 1/2 cup yogurt

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Protein- 2 servings a day: 1 to 2 oz meat, 1 egg per serving, or 4 to 5 tbsp cooked legumes

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Grain products- 3 to 4 servings a day: 1/2 to 1 slice of whole grain bread; 1/4 to 1/2 cups rice or pasta, preferably whole grain like brown rice, whole wheat pasta or quinoa pasta, or 1/2 cup to 1 cup dry low sugar cereal, 1/4 to 1/2 bagel, 1/2 to 1 whole wheat or corn tortilla



Remember to make every calorie count! Offer your child foods that pack lots of nutrition into small doses.

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Helpful tips for feeding the picky eater: A. Timing is everything! The best time to feed a toddler is when they are alert, hungry and ready for food. Avoid feeding your little one when there are high distractions or when you are rushed. Make sure you turn off distractions like television, phones, music, and other forms of entertainment. Your child should be hungry, but not starving, awake and not tired.

B. Try, Try Again! Don’t give up on foods if your toddler turns up their nose. Give it a few days and then try again. Try foods in different ways. If your toddler all of the sudden hates the once beloved cooked carrots, try a new method. Try roasting them, grating them into muffins or steaming them with other veggies and spices.

Studies have shown that it takes a child 15 times to determine if they really do or don’t prefer a certain taste. It can take this many tries before they learn to accept a new food. The more you try the higher your chances are that your child will accept that specific food.

C. Spice things up! There is no research that supports that babies must eat bland foods. Once they are on their way add spices and herbs to their foods. Remember that herbs have a variety of healthy vitamins and minerals that can add to your child’s diet.

D. Be a Supermodel! Research supports that when it comes to encouraging young children to eat it is more important what you do than what you say! Your children will thrive on your cues. If you are a picky eater and expose that side of yourself to your child, they have a higher tendency to develop your attitudes. Don’t complain about food or communicate what you don’t like at the dinner table, your toddler is watching!

Model the behavior you wish your child to adapt about food. Make meal time fun and encourage your toddler to eat things by making them look delicious and fun. You like food that looks appetizing provide the same standards for your child.

E. Relax! Don’t put pressure on mealtime. Try to keep a relaxed atmosphere when feeding your little one. All kids are different and they have different preferences just like adults. Remember that it can take years for some kids to become adventurous and try new things. Just make sure you always offer a variety and that you don’t stress out or give in. Give them time to develop their like and dislikes by being supportive and positive about food (Parenting).

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Nutrition as a School Age Child Things become a little easier as your child transitions into the school age years. They are more easily reasoned with and can begin to understand the benefits and need for good nutrition.

The United States Department of Agriculture has created an excellent resource to aid families in teaching their children how to eat healthy meals and snacks. Here they offer a variety of recourses to help families plan meals, calculate nutrition, educate, train, and have fun making healthy food choices as individuals and families.

Check out http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ The goals of ChooseMyPlate are to teach kids and families to: Balance Calories * Enjoy your food, but eat less. * Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase * Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. * Make at least half your grains whole grains. * Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce * Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals—and choose foods with lower numbers. * Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

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This chart shows how ChooseMyPlate is teaching kids to build a healthier meal based on what and how much of each food group should be on their plates.

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Nutrition as a Teen After the school age years, our children become teens.

During this time a child’s body is bombarded with emotional and physical changes as they make their way through puberty. There are many things we can do in our families to help make a smooth transition and further encourage healthy nutrition.

For teens, snacking can be a serious hang up. Often the life of a teen is busy, hectic, and stressful. This can lead them down a path of unhealthy eating. The following ideas and cautions were found on the KidsHealth website which contains a wealth of information on the topic of nutrition (KidsHealth).

Healthy Snacking for the Teen Body During adolescence, the body needs more nutrients to grow, as it should. Snacks are a fantastic way to help satisfy your hunger and get all the nutrients and vitamins your growing body needs. It is important to be a smart snacker. Here are some things to remember: To keep energy levels going and avoid weight gain - steer clear of foods with lots of added sugars like candy bars or soda. Look for foods that contain fiber like wholegrain breads, cereals, fruit, and vegetables and combine them with protein-rich snacks such as peanut butter or low-fat yogurt or cheese.

Prepare healthy snacks in advance - keep plenty of fresh fruit and veggies at home to take on the go. Cut up fruit or veggies in advance. Keep the servings in bags in the fridge, ready to grab and go.

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Emotional Eating Another serious issue older children and teens often struggle with is emotional eating. Emotional eating is when people use food as a way to deal with feelings instead of to satisfy hunger. It’s something we are all familiar with, finishing an entire bag of chips while we are cramming for a test, or eating an entire sleeve of Oreos after a break up. Occasionally these things happen, but emotional eating can become a serious habit.

Not many of us make the connection between eating and our feelings. But understanding what drives emotional eating can help people take steps to change it. Often we think of emotional eating only being linked to negative feelings like boredom, stress, sadness, anxiety, or loneliness. Emotional eating can also be connected to positive feelings and emotions, too. Often times we want to eat at our highest moments. We also tend turn to food when we celebrate or to reward ourselves.

Emotional eating patterns are usually learned behaviors. Adults teach their children to comfort themselves with food. For example, if we give a child candy for a job well done, or bribe a child with a cookie we are encouraging an emotional connection to food. Parents should take care not use food as a reward or center activities around food. Unlearning the patterns of emotional eating is not an easy task but it is possible (KidsHealth).

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Tips for Parents and Families Making a change to healthy eating doesn’t always require a huge lifestyle change.

Sometimes the biggest successes start with a few key changes. The following recommendations were found on the Let’s Move a website whose goal is to raise a healthier generation of kids in America (Let's Move).

Healthy Choices to Reduce Fat & Sugar 

Switch to low or non-fat milk, yogurt and cheese



Choose lean cuts of meat like skinless chicken or extra lean ground beef for hamburgers or pasta sauces

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Bake or grill instead of fry

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Substitute olive or vegetable oil for butter

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Substitute water or low-fat milk for sodas or sweetened beverages

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Drink less soda or sugar-sweetened drinks

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Switch to lower sugar breakfast cereals

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Switch desserts like ice cream and cake for fruit based desserts

Snacks 

Reduce the number of snacks served each day

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Leave a bowl of fruit or carrot sticks on the kitchen table

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Differentiate between snacks that require permission (cookies), versus snacks that kids can take freely (fresh or dried fruit)

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Have kids drink water at snack time

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Save "treats" for special occasions

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Portion Size 

Kids are smaller than adults and should eat smaller portions

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Use smaller plates for kids

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Don't force kids to clean their plates if they are full

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Portions should be about the size of the back of a fist—a child’s fist for a child’s portion

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Start with a small portion. Children can have seconds if they are still hungry

Eat Together 

Family meals focus on eating and enjoying food and each other



Eating together is a chance to model good behavior

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Regularly scheduled meal and snack times help kids learn structure for eating

Health Education in Schools Knowledge of healthy foods and lifestyles is not always taught in the home, which is why it is crucial for schools to educate students early on in order to prevent childhood obesity. “Government policies, parent’s time commitment, and school’s involvement; all are needed to address problems of childhood obesity” said Minh Hoang Do Wendt, a PHD recipient from the University of Minnesota. Schools are essential to promoting healthy habits through their food and physical education programs.

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Food Programs Children over five years of age spend more than 33 hours a week in school. While there, they are fed by the schools breakfast and lunch menus and are offered options from vending machines and school stores. Schools are responsible for the health of students since they feed and educate them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that, “80 percent of youths consume more than 11 percent of their calories from items such as soda and sports drinks�. This is alarming considering that the U.S. Department of Agriculture enforces its nutritional standards on school lunch programs, but a la carte and vending machine foods follow very little regulation. A report by USDA in the School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study shows that typical school lunches contain 35% of energy from fat and 12% of their energy from saturated fat. This is 10%-30% higher than the recommended levels.

Because schools are responsible for feeding millions of children every day, it is crucial that they teach students healthy habits by giving them healthy options. Maintaining healthier choices is a crucial step for schools to teach students how to make healthy choices. In addition, snacks and a la carte options need to follow the same standards as breakfast and lunch menu items. There is no reason for schools to allow students to develop habits that could lead to obesity while they attend their classes.

Physical Education Forty-three percent of adolescents watch more than two hours of TV a day. In addition, children are becoming increasingly sedentary from hobbies such as video and computer games, social media and web browsing. All the while many U.S. schools have reduced their commitment to provide adequate physical education. A 2000 survey by the Institute of Medicine found that only 8% of elementary schools, 6.4% of middle schools, and 5.8% of senior high schools provide daily physical education for the entire school year. In fact, less than 10% of any U.S. schools provide adequate physical activity and education to their students.

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Conclusion Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. It can begin before birth during pregnancy and continue plaguing an individual for the rest of their life. Every year the percentage of young Americans dealing with obesity increases and with this increase comes an alarming number of medical challenges as well as emotional battles. Obesity can cause depression, cardiovascular disease, pre-diabetes, bone and joint problems, cancer, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and much more.

Obesity begins in the home when parents feed their infants. Children often follow the habits they learn as infants so it is important not to underfeed or over feed them. In addition, children follow different nutritional guidelines as they reach different levels of development. It is essential for parents to understand what their child needs and provide them with those healthy options. Children who are ignorant of the value of nutritious food are at risk of becoming obese.

The need to educate children about obesity has never been greater. Childhood Obesity is growing at such an alarming rate that it is our responsibility as families, neighbors, and communities to help. By educating youth through our own healthy eating as well as through our education systems, we can work together to prevent childhood obesity.

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Appendix Sources American Heart Association. (n.d.). Reading Good Nutrition Labels. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from American Heart Association Learn and Live: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HeartSmartShopping/Reading-FoodNutrition-Labels_UCM_300132_Article.jsp Ask Dr. Sears. (n.d.). Feeding the Picky Eater: 17 Tips. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from Ask Dr. Sears A Trusted Resource for Parents: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-infants-toddlers/feedingpicky-eater-17-tips International Dietary Energy Consultancy Group. (1989, November 14). Activity, Energy Expenditure and Energy Requirements of Infants and Children. Retrieved from Archives of UNU: http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/food2/UID09E/UID09E00.HTM#Contents KidsHealth. (n.d.). Eating During Pregnancy. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/dietary_needs/eating_pregnancy.html KidsHealth. (n.d.). Food and Fitness. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from Teens Health: http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/#cat20131 Let's Move. (n.d.). Healthy Families. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from America's Move to Raise a Healtheir Generation for Kids: http://www.letsmove.gov/healthy-families Parenting. (n.d.). Family Health 411. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from Parenting: http://www.parenting.com/article/best-ways-to-feed-baby United States Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). USDA ChooseMYPlate.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from Choose My Plate: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/index.html USDA. (n.d.). United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved June 26, 2013, from Choose My Plate.gov: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

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Interviews Chelsey Eddins Interview with Kelly Beard, Health & Fitness, Utah State University I interviewed a health and fitness specialist about childhood obesity and health.

My questions were somewhat general but I asked her to elaborate on her views and information. We completed our interview via email because getting on the phone never quite seemed to happen.

What do you think is the main causes that lead to childhood obesity?

I think parents are the main cause of childhood obesity. Parents teach their children about healthy eating habits, exercise etc. Parents are also the ones buying healthy foods or packaged junk food for their families. Children also look to parents for examples of those things and if the parents are making unhealthy choices for themselves the children will often follow.

What do you recommend for children with obesity to do first to get into shape and change their eating habits?

I think if it is the children who want to get in shape and change, then education is an essential step. If they want to learn and improve then the knowledge about exercise and nutrition can change their lives rather than jumping on the quick fix band wagons. That knowledge and understanding can help them make the lifelong changes that will make them healthier and happier.

Any other comments on Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is heart breaking, in part because it is something that is so preventable and can have such dramatic effects on lifelong health. Thankfully, it is also something that is reversible with education and dedication.

Robyn Braswell Interview with Mindy Box, RD, CD, Davis County Health Department, WIC Program How are breast-fed babies and bottle-fed babies different? Are there known correlations between higher weight babies that are formula fed?

The WIC Program and any nutrition counseling or recommendations I give support the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and that babies should be Childhood Obesity 17

breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months. Beyond that, it is encouraged to breastfeed until at least 12 months and if both the mother and baby are willing, past 12 months for even more added benefits. All the research conducted by doctors and scientists agree that breast milk is the best nourishment for babies.

Human milk provides nutrients essential to building strong human bodies that cow’s milk or formula can’t supply. Recent studies indicate that babies who are breastfed have higher intelligence quotient (IQ) levels and enhanced cognitive development.

For reasons that are not really well understood and that we witness at our clinic regularly, is that breastfed babies frequently gain less weight in the first year of life than formula-fed babies and may have lower height and weight percentiles on their growth charts. We know and explain to moms that this smaller relative weight gain is not indicative of insufficient nutrition. Instead, it has been studied that formula may contain substances that add bulk to babies without providing them with additional nutrition. I would say even the experts and Pediatricians aren't sure why but they do know that it's normal and nothing to be concerned about. Other research suggests that babies who grow too quickly may have higher cholesterol levels, higher blood pressure, and increased risk of obesity and diabetes later in life.

One reason that makes sense is that breastfed babies weigh less at one year may be due to they stop feeding when they're satisfied, unlike formula-fed babies who may be coaxed to finish a bottle and get more than they need.

Formula also has more/different protein than breast milk, which can result in changes in the body's metabolism.

Breastfed babies also have the antibodies in their mother's milk and therefore have better immunity to some illnesses.

Research indicates there aren't noticeable developmental differences between breastfed and formula-fed babies. Both generally develop normally. Breastfed babies are, however, sick less frequently than other babies and are less likely to develop feeding-related problems such as gas and colic. And once again, and stated in many text articles and publications that school-aged children who were breastfed have higher IQs on average than children who were formulafed.

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What trends or habits, established in the early years, predispose a child to being obese later in life?

1-Family Cultures 3- Electronic Media-Screen time and not enough physical activity 2- Social norms and food access to unhealthy foods at home, child care facilities and schools 3-Fast food and allowing more consumption of sweetened beverages-SODA! Researchers associated with the National Bureau of Economic Research found that among ninth-graders, having a fast-food restaurant within one-tenth of a mile of their school was linked to a 5.2 percent increase in the incidence of childhood obesity rates in that area.

4- Prenatal conditions: woman who are overweight or obese when she becomes pregnant, or who gains an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy, may in turn promote the development of obesity in her child: A 2007 study of 1,044 mother-child pairs, conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School, found that greater weight gain by a woman during pregnancy was associated with a heavier child at age three.

5- More studies are being conducted showing that nutrition in the womb and in infancy influences the health and development of a child. These studies are examining maternal and infant nutrition to find out how early diet influences later risk of obesity and/or developing life limiting conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental illness.

Ashley Malan Interview with Dr. Todd Malan, OBGYN, Innovative Cosmetic Surgery Center Is there a correlation between bottle-fed babies and obesity later on in life?

A study done by the Department of Sociology at Brigham Young University found that infants who are bottle feed are 2.5 times more likely to develop obesity by age 24 months. They also found that starting solid foods early (before 4 months) lifted risk by 40 percent, and putting babies to bed with a bottle magnified it by 30 percent.

What are some important steps parents can take to help their children eat healthy when they are young?

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Over feeding your baby is a common mistake made by parents. Parents may interpret a baby’s cry as a sign that they are hungry. Up until 2 months your baby should only need to take a bottle every 2-3 hours. When your baby turns their head away from bottle or starts showing disinterest they are done feeding.

Babies less than 6 months should not need to eat solid food as this will contribute to obesity. As your child begins to eat solid foods help them to develop healthy eating habits and portion control. Establish daily meal and snack times and eat together as a family. Make a wide variety of healthy foods available as based on the food guide pyramid for young children.

What kinds of habits have you seen in children that are likely to lead to obesity later in life?

Children that have unlimited access to foods and snacks tend to over eat especially when as babies they were conditioned to use food as a method of soothing. Children also pattern their eating habits on the parents. Forty-eight percent of overweight children have overweight parents. There are many other factors to consider including the encouraging of children to partake in daily playful exercise. Even a lack of adequate sleep has been related to childhood obesity Are fatter babies more likely to be obese when they grow up than smaller babies? (I always thought it was healthier for babies to be fatter?)

Often times the stereotypical fat baby is fat because of poor eating habits of the mother during pregnancy. Unless these mothers are taught good eating habits themselves they will often pass on these bad behavioral eating patterns to their children further contributing to obesity. There is a condition called metabolic syndrome which describes the body’s inability to adequately process glucose and lipids. Babies considered LGA or large for gestational age are at a much higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

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Authors

Writer Robyn Braswell Bio: I am a mother of four who lives in Layton, Utah. I keep myself busy with a family, school, triathlons, community, and church obligations. I balance a lot of hectic schedules on a daily basis. It is often difficult to fit in exercise and healthy eating, but I try to make it a priority.

Selection of Issue: The topic of healthy eating and establishing good habits through exercise and education just seemed like the natural topic, because it is a huge part of my parenting roll and personal life. So many of these habits are established during the tender years of childhood.

Countless families struggle with how to best take care of their child’s physical needs. This is evident in our society. As a mother with a large family I have had a lot of experience with the challenges and rewards that come along with our taking care of our physical bodies and setting examples and standards for my children.

Team member tasks: I was responsible for researching and writing the solutions based on healthy eating and education for families and individuals throughout various stages of life. I also conducted an interview providing information on the importance of breastfeeding and family practices to reduce the risk of obesity.

Personal Reflection: Preparing this issue book has afforded me the opportunity to really look at what I am doing in my home. I have evaluated our eating habits and made some changes based on my research. I have enjoyed the opportunity to look into my cupboards and make some serious cuts in our bad habits. I have taken time to ponder and research what choices we can make as a family better balance what we put into our bodies. It has been rewarding to work with a group that is likewise committed to find solutions to this serious problem, through researching education and exercise information that creates healthy habits and families.

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Writer Chelsey Eddins Bio: My name is Chelsey Eddins. I was born and raised in Washington state by my father and mother. I am currently living in Eastern Idaho with my husband of seven years with our three children. I am a photographer, I love staying busy and I am always looking for a new craft or hobby to try out. I love to do anything that is outdoors and that is active. But most of all, I love spending time with my family. I am an only child and was raised with one very conservative, and one very liberal parent. I was raised in a home were health was not always a top priority and yet it was valued. As a wife and mother I have turned to those values and put action into play when it comes to the health and welfare of our family. This topic is important because it not only impacts my personal health, but how I teach and raise my children in attempt to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle for their future families.

Selection of Issue: Our group selected this issue because it is very personal to each of us. We value health and the future health of our children and families. Obesity is large concern today which has been shown to lead to many other issues that we see in our society. Childhood obesity is often times when we see the patterns begin. Focusing on Childhood obesity today helps our families, communities, and society tomorrow in many ways.

Team member tasks: I was responsible for the introduction, research, and helping find valuable and reliable information regarding Childhood Obesity, its causes, treatments, and consequences.

Personal Reflection: Childhood obesity is important to me and is a very real concern. Obesity is not just a disease, it is a lifestyle and a habit. It reflects a lot about a person and where they struggle. Focusing on preventing childhood obesity and helping those who are currently struggling with it should be a main focus. If we ignore the rising issue future generations will suffer physically and emotionally in ways we do not yet understand. Healthcare and other medical problems will adapt and become more common because of the impact obesity and excess weight can have on a person’s body.

Not only is this a concern for me personally and my health, but for my children. Society and convenience is becoming a trend in every aspect of our lives; but health and fitness will always require the same amount of time, effort, and work to maintain. If I allow these trends and lifestyle fads become a part of my home and lifestyle I am allowing my children to become subject to health risks and clutches that can hinder their overall quality of life, and not just temporarily. My children and my well-being are why childhood obesity is an important concern and why I was drawn to it. Each individual is at risk and should be aware of the threats that obesity and excess weight can have on their quality of life.

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Writer Ashley Malan Bio: My name is Ashley Malan. I am a senior at BYU-Idaho studying Communication with an emphasis in PR. I am from Gilbert, AZ and was recently married to my high school sweetheart in the Mesa temple. One of my best college experiences was going on the Humanities European Tour. I developed a passion for traveling, food and most importantly art. I try to stay active through my hobbies of hiking, playing tennis, jogging, snowboarding and swimming. I love sunshine and am so happy to be living back in Arizona.

Team member tasks: I was able to help my team by writing about education and its role in stopping childhood obesity. I also wrote the conclusion.

Personal Reflection: Childhood obesity is a very real and relevant topic. It goes way beyond being overweight. After researching this topic I have realized the importance of educating children about their health. As a child I ate horribly. I could make myself Ramen Noodles by the time I was six! I would scarf five slices of pizza down proudly when I was 12. I often called myself a chocoholic in middle school and high school because I loved eating chocolate sweets so much. By the time I got to college a realized my addiction to candy was out of control! I have learned that unhealthy habits affect children in more ways than just making them overweight.

My research has taught me that education is critical for young children to understand exactly how their choices affect them.

Now that I am older I can clearly see the value of healthy choices. Healthy choices can help your weight, your energy levels, your self-esteem and your ability to perform well in athletics. My choices have a huge impact on my husband and will have a larger impact on my future children. After researching this topic I feel that I will be an advocate of health education for the rest of my life and will continue to make changes in my life to be an example to my children.

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Editor Rachel Simpson Bio: My name is Rachel Simpson. I was raised around the country to Oklahoma to Alaska. I married my best friend in 2005 and currently reside in Southern Utah. We are the proud parents of three beautiful girls and one handsome boy. I am currently working towards a University Studies degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Selection of issue: As a team, we all have people in our lives who struggle with weight. We decided we wanted to address the concern of weight in childhood years. We wanted to educate others on the issue.

Team member tasks: My task was to keep team members on task and create a template for the issue book. I worked to remind others of upcoming deadlines then compiled what they had done into the final issue book.

Personal reflection: As I worked on this project, I found it was not so much as a controversial issue as an issue in general. We all believe in healthy eating we just don’t all practice it. I know everyone’s reason for how they eat is different. Whether it is financial reasons, food addiction, or any other reason, I believe the first step to help the nation with childhood obesity is to educate parents and children to make good food choices. It does begin as a child and habits you develop.

Something else I found as editing this issue book was how difficult it can be to work as a team when others do not feel deadlines are meant for them. Of course on the flipside, I learned how nice it can be to work with people who meet deadlines and go beyond what is required. As a team, we were able to uncover ideas to make us all work harder to convince others the importance of healthy eating.

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