"Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, putting children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is still too high."
--CDC.gov
Sugary drinks. Sugar-filled breakfast cereals and snack bars. White bread with no dietary fiber. Fast food meals filled with fat, sugar, and salt. Unrealistic portion sizes. “Empty calories” with no nutritional value.
Yes, Virginia, you are what you eat.
Is it any wonder that we have a childhood obesity crisis in America? According to Centers to Disease Control and Prevention, "For children and adolescents aged 2-19 years in 2017-2018 the prevalence of obesity was 19.3% and affected about 14.4 million children and adolescents."
Choosing food to buy, cook, and eat is a big part of our lives. As parents, we have a responsibility to raise healthy kids. All kids deserve access to healthy foods but many don’t receive it. It may be they live in a food desert. Perhaps they are being raised by grandparents on a fixed income. A family’s income may qualify kids for the free and reduced meal program at school, where they receive 2 of 3 daily weekday meals. Hours spent with videogames are hours not spent outside getting exercise and fresh air.
Educating parents about that all breakfast cereals
are not equal is a step to health literacy.
Teaching parents to recognize the dozens of hidden sugars in prepared foods, especially those marketed to children, is
a big step. Learning that dietary fiber
(found only in foods that grow from the earth like fruits and vegetables) is
what fills us up and prevents us from overeating is a lesson to master.
Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
(lentils, beans, and peas) as your primary food groups.
Buy kid-friendly cooking tools and let your kids help you prepare family
meals and school lunches. Create fun themes for dinner such as "Mango Mondays" and “Tempeh Taco Tuesdays” and invite your kids to make colorful posters celebrating meals made with featured ingredients.
Childhood obesity rates are a dangerous sign that we can - and must - do better to ensure that all kids have access to healthy foods.
With love and kindness,
Nancy Heinrich, MPH
Founder and Wellness Architect
