OVERCOMING CHILDHOOD
OBESITY
AN AMERICAN
EPIDEMIC
Presented by Family Voices of
Tennessee
INTRODUCTION
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Open your window on a sunny afternoon,
and what do you hear? The chirping of
singing birds? The yelling of playing
children? Odds are these days that you'll
hear the birds but not the children. As kids
spend more time in front of television,
computer and video screens, their physical
activity levels have decreased. And their
body weights have increased.
STATISTICS
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30 Years ago around 4% of children in the
United States were overweight.
Today over 30% of our Nation’s children are
not only overweight, they are considered
morbidly obese.
If this trend continues, this will be the first
generation in the United State to die before
their parents.
CAUSE
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Genetics
Hormonal
Excessive eating, poor food choices
Little exercise
T.V. computer and video games
Safety issues in neighborhoods
HEALTH RISKS
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Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
High blood pressure
Asthma and other respiratory problems
Sleep disorders
Liver disease
Early puberty or menarche
Eating disorders
Skin infections
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL FALLOUT
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Low self-esteem and bullying. Children often tease
or bully their overweight peers, who suffer a loss of
self-esteem and an increased risk of depression as a
result.
Behavior and learning problems. Overweight
children tend to have more anxiety and poorer social
skills than normal-weight children have.
Depression. Social isolation and low self-esteem
create overwhelming feelings of hopelessness in
some overweight children.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
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If you're worried that your child is putting on too
much weight, talk to his or her doctor or health care
provider. He or she can provide a complete weight
assessment, taking into account your child's
individual history of growth and development, your
family's weight-for-height history, and where your
child lands on the growth charts. These evaluations
help determine if your child's weight is in an
unhealthy range.
SMALL STEPS TO A
HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE
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Parents play a big role in shaping children’s eating
habits. When parents eat a variety of foods that are
low in fat and sugar and high in fiber, children learn
to like these foods as well.
Parents have an effect on children’s physical activity
habits as well. You can set a good example by going
for a walk or bike ride after dinner instead of
watching TV. Playing ball or jumping rope with your
children shows them that being active is fun.
TALK TO YOUR SCHOOL
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Find out more about the school’s breakfast
and lunch programs and ask to have input
into menu choices, or help your child pack a
lunch that includes a variety of foods. Get
involved in the parent-teacher association—
PTA—to support physical education and
after-school sports.
Talk with your school about implementing a
Pedometer Walking Program.
Resources to Help
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childhoodobesity/DS00698
http://www.nih.gov/news/WordonHealth/jun2002/childhoodo
besity.htm
http://www.healthiergeneration.org/engine/renderpage.asp
http://www.walkingworksforschoolstn.com/resources/
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm
of Tennessee
Family-to-Family Health Information Center
Family Resource Specialists:
West TN: Treva Sease
[email protected]
Middle TN: Tonya Bowman
[email protected]
East TN:
Camille Keck
[email protected]