If America is up to the challenge of reversing our childhood
obesity epidemic, then we need the right tools for the job. It’s safe to say that we need lots of different tools in our tool bag if we're going to right this wrong.
With 2/3s of adults in this country
overweight and obese and 1/3 of American children overweight and obese, we (the adults)
need to be better role models for children. It is wrong for children to grow up eating primarily highly processed foods filled with too many calories, and too much sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates. It is wrong that many kids go days without eating fresh fruits and vegetables. It is wrong that school districts do not require physical education (PE) classes. It is wrong that some elementary age kids in public schools have only 1/2 hour of PE a week.
Being overweight (and thus being at increased risk for all
diseases and conditions that are a direct result of “wearing” too much fat on
our bones) is a direct result of eating too much food, consuming too many
calories, and not exercising enough.
Some people are oblivious about how many calories they are consuming and using and can use some help.
There is a cool tool that can teach you how many calories you
are eating, drinking, and burning throughout the day. The BodyMedia FIT armband offers up to 95%
accuracy, according to its manufacturer.
These armbands retail for $199 each, but three are being given away in a contest I read about in a little booklet called Remedy’s Healthy Living I recently
picked up at my local Publix supermarket.
Here’s the deal: go to www.healthcommunities.com/RHLgiveaway
between February 24, 2012 and May 9, 2012 and enter the information
requested. There is no purchase
necessary to enter to win. What do you
have lose?
Let’s work together to be healthier role models for America’s
overweight children by losing a few pounds ourselves. To learn more about obesity and your own body
mass index, go to www.cdc.gov.
Growing Healthy Kids is a movement focused on improving the
health – and lives - of America’s children, one child and one garden at a
time. Eat better, move more, feel great!
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids
