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September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

  • Published
  • By Dan Munford MS RDN CSSD LDN, health promotion dietitian
  • 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
The World Health Organization declared obesity a global epidemic. Over the past 30 years this epidemic has been affecting our children. The obesity rate in America has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents over this time frame. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in six children in the U.S. has obesity, and they are more likely to become adults with obesity. 
 

Children with obesity are more likely to have pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and they are also at increased risk of developing sleep apnea as well as bone and joint problems. The CDC estimates that 1 of 3 children born in 2000 or later will suffer from type 2 diabetes at some time in their lives.

Factors that contribute to childhood obesity include: increased consumption of foods high in sugar and fat, increased consumption of sugary beverages, decreased physical activity and increased time engaging in sedentary activities.

One program being encouraged by the military to combat childhood obesity is the 5210 Healthy Military Childhood Campaign.

The 5210 Healthy Military Childhood Campaign targets venues where military families live, work and play. It provides tips on how military families can incorporate the program’s principles into their lives. The campaign focuses on four areas that affect childhood obesity and encourages children to do the following everyday:

(5) Eat five or more servings of fresh fruits and vegetables

(2) Limit their screen time to no more than two hours

(1) Engage in at least one hour of physical activity

(0) Drink zero cups of soda or sugar-sweetened beverages

What can you do to help your child?

  1. Offer new fruits and vegetables and encourage your child to take at least three bites

  2. Keep the TV and video games out of your child’s bedroom

  3. Take a family walk after dinner

  4. Encourage your child to drink more water or 16-24 ounces of low fat milk a day

  5. Discuss treatment options with your child’s medical provider if she/he is obese

If you would like to learn more information on childhood obesity, you can go to the following pages: https://nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/calculator.aspx; http://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-and-wellness/healthy-living?content_id=282401


USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)