Prevention of Childhood Obesity
Background:
Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem globally. The prevalence of obesity among youth has been increasing steadily. Children who are overweight or obese are likely to stay obese into adulthood and are at risk to develop obesity related serious health problems including early puberty, insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, high cholesterol and orthopedic issues. These complications may lead early death. Also youth with overweight or obesity are at risk to develop psychological diseases such as depression, poor body image, eating disorder, and behavioral and learning disorders.
Overweight and obesity, as well as obesity related diseases, are largely preventable. To reverse the pediatric obesity epidemic, as a community we should focus on supporting healthy eating habits and active living lifestyle for our children in every setting including our houses, daycares, schools etc.
Goals:
- Increase community knowledge in pediatric obesity and complications
- Increase community knowledge in pediatric obesity prevention
Objectives:
- To advocate activities to increase community knowledge in pediatric obesity and related complications, and its prevention.
Potential projects:
- Organize daycare/school/library/YMCA or non-profit organization events to promote community knowledge in pediatric obesity and related complications, and its prevention.
- Distribute handouts to local community to promote community knowledge in pediatric obesity and related complications, and its prevention.
- Organize local fitness activities
10 tips for parents to reduce the rate of pediatric obesity:
- Role modeling is very important. Remember parental obesity is a risk factor for pediatric obesity!
- Eat 5 portions of vegetables and fruits a day
- Avoid high fat and high sugar diet
- Be very active as a family. At least 60 min per day 5 days of the week
- Avoid sugary beverages such as juice or soda
- Limit screen time <2 hours per day
- Avoid excess parental control over children’s eating
- Never use food as reward or punishment!
- Make meals enjoyable
- Think positive!
Web Sources:
https://healthykidshealthyfuture.org
https://obesitymedicine.org/clinician-resources/pediatric-obesity-resources/
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ten-tips-build-healthy-mealtime-habits
https://ihcw.aap.org/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/strategies/healthcare/index.html
https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition
http://ohioaap.org/projects/PMP
Family resources:
http://www.obesityaction.org/understanding-obesity-in-children
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/managing-obesity
http://weighinguide.com/index.html
https://healthykidshealthyfuture.org/resources-for-parents/
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/wecan/about-wecan/background.htm
