A Growing Problem

Harry S. Truman 1946

 Childhood obesity has doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the last 30 years.  More than one-third of children and adolescents were considered overweight or obese in  One-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives.  Others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.

 One in four preschool children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.  If childhood obesity continues to increase, the average lifespan could be cut by 2 to 5 years.  Percent of NJ 6 th graders found be overweight: 38%

*Overweight children suffer from more health problems, miss more school days, and are less likely to achieve academic success.

 This current generation of kids is the 1 st projected NOT to live longer than it’s parents!

 High cholesterol  High blood pressure  At high risk for diabetes  Psychological problems  Low self-esteem  Bone and joint problems  Sleep apnea  Asthma  Obese children are more likely to consume alcohol and use drugs

 50% of obese kids will become obese adults  Associated with increased risk for many types of cancer  Heart Disease  Diabetes  Gallbladder disease  Complications during pregnancy and surgery  Menstrual irregularity and infertility for women  Low self-esteem  Depression

 Thirty years ago kids:  Walked to and from school everyday  Ran around at recess  Participated in gym class  Played for hours after school before dinner

 Most kids today take a bus or are driven to school.  Gym class and school sports have been cut  Afternoons are spent watching TV, playing video games, and on the internet  The average American child spends more than 7.5 hours a day using technology.  Only one-third of HS students get recommended levels of physical activity

 Meals were home-cooked  Portion sizes were reasonable  There were always vegetables on the plate  Eating fast food was rare and considered a treat  Snacking between meals was an occasional treat.

 Parents are busier and families eat fewer home- cooked meals  Snacking between meals is the norm, not the exception  One in five school-age kids has up to six snacks a day  Portion sizes have exploded! Portions are two to five times bigger than they used to be.  80% of young people do not eat the recommended numbers of serving of fruits and vegetables.

 Beverage portions have grown as well  In 1990, the average candy bar was 2.1 oz.; in 2013 the average candy bar is 5 oz.  We are eating 31% more calories than 40 years ago  We are eating 56% more fats and oils than 40 years ago.  The average American eats 15 more lbs. of sugar a year than in  In 1957 a fast food burger was 1 oz. and 210 calories. Today a fast food burger is 6 oz. and 618 calories.

 Parental Weight  Socio-economic status  Childhood nutrition  Level of physical activity  Time spent in sedentary activities

 Sugary drinks and less healthy foods in schools.  Advertising of less healthy foods  Variation in regulations among child care centers  Lack of daily physical activity in all schools  No safe and appealing place to play or be active.

 Limited access to healthy affordable foods  Greater availability of high-energy-dense foods and sugary drinks  Increasing portion sizes  Lack of breastfeeding support  Television and Media

 There is an association between childhood obesity and the consumption of sweetened beverages that are not 100% fruit juice.  These beverages do not provide any essential nutrients, but do increase calorie intake.  By age 14, 32% of girls and 52% of boys consume 3 or more 8 oz. servings of soft drinks daily.  DRINK WATER!!!!!

 For a healthy 120 lb. person who eats healthy and exercises regularly: *Drinking one 20 oz. soda every day can contribute enough calories to equal 27 lbs. a year. *It would take 2 hours of moderate walking to burn off one 20 oz. bottle of soda.

 Eat healthier  Stay physically active for at least an hour a day  Stop rewarding children with unhealthy food  Stop forcing children to “clean their plate” after they are full  Pack healthy school lunches  BUT WHERE DO WE START?

 Research suggests that breastfeeding helps protect infants from becoming obese children  Parents need to give numerous opportunities to try new foods  Parents need to encourage children to develop healthy and varied diets  Parents need to teach children to eat reasonable amounts (portion control)  Make nutritious foods available to older children  Decrease screen time  Encourage physical activity

 Increase participation in family mealtime  Involve children in meal planning and preparation  Encourage four family meals per week  Limit mealtime interruptions and distractions  Make family meals a priority

 Keep mealtimes happy, social times  Keep a regular schedule for meals and snacks  Allow adequate time for eating a meal without distractions  Be a role model for food choices and table manners  Avoid bribing or rewarding children with food.

 Let’s Move! : America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. National Campaign launched by First Lady Michelle Obama.  NFL Play 60: Campaign designed to tackle childhood obesity by getting kids active through in- school, after school, and team based programs. Encourages kids to eat healthy and get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. NFL has committed $200 million to program.

 Develop nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold in schools  Develop guidelines regarding advertising and marketing to children and youth.

 Develop healthier food and beverage products  Expand consumer nutrition information  Provide clear and consistent media messages

 Expand and promote opportunities for physical activity in the community

 Routinely track BMI(body mass index) in children and youth and offer appropriate counseling and guidance to children and their families.

 Improve nutritional quality of foods and beverages served and sold in schools  Increase opportunities for frequent, more intensive, and engaging physical activity during and after school  Implement school-based interventions to reduce screen time  Develop and implement programs for teachers and staff about wellness, healthful eating, and physical activity

 How will YOU help?  MaryAnne Guzzi  Jackson Liberty High School  2013