Childhood Obesity Kailee Wrather Arkansas State University Kailee.wrather@smail.astate.edu

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What is Childhood Obesity? Childhood Obesity is a condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his or her age and height. Childhood Obesity affects over one-third of American children from state to state. There are more than 3 million US cases of Childhood Obesity per year.

Children have fewer weight-related health and medical problems than adults. However, overweight children are at high risk of becoming overweight adolescents and adults, placing them at risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. They are also more prone to develop stress, sadness, and low self-esteem.

Causes of Childhood Obesity The most common causes: Rare cause: Genetic factors Lack of physical activity Unhealthy eating patterns Medical condition Hormonal problems

Risks of Childhood Obesity High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Early Heart Disease Diabetes Bone Problems Skin Conditions Heat rash Fungal Infections Acne

Ways to Solve Childhood Obesity Encourage healthy eating habits Make favorite dishes healthier Remove calorie-rich temptations Help your children understand the importance of being physically active Help kids stay active Reduce sedentary time

Parents Can Help Solve This Problem Encourage your child to participate in afterschool activities. Reduce your child’s “screen time”. Instead of children spending hours in front of a TV, limit them to 30 minutes of screen time per 15 minutes of physical activity. Cook healthier meals for your children. Refrain from buying junk food. Get the whole family involved in a healthier lifestyle! It is much easier to stick to a healthy way of living if you’re not doing it alone. Here are a few ways to get the family involved. Family Hikes Biking around the neighborhood Dance classes Swimming together

Teachers Can Help Too! Refrain from handing out unhealthy snacks as much. Try handing out apple slices or grapes instead of cookies or candy Involve movement in the classroom. Provide parents and students with information over health related topics.

Studies show that children who are more active exhibit better focus, faster cognitive processing, and more successful memory retention than kids who spend the day sitting still. Keeping the body active promotes mental clarity by increasing blood flow to the brain, making activity vital to both learning and physical and neurological health.

Ways to Involve Movement in Classrooms Turn your lessons into games There are many ways to turn games into educational lessons. Word Baseball Addition Hopscotch Vocabulary Catch Brain Breaks Teachers could take just a few minutes to let their students get up and dance around with some music to give their minds a minute to rest. You could even play games that aren’t necessarily educational if you have a little extra time at the end of a lesson

Nutrition is an important aspect of staying healthy Nutrition is an important aspect of staying healthy. It is important to teach children and give them the proper knowledge about nutrition during school. It is also important for parents to provide nutritious meals for their children outside of school.

Websites for Nutrition Information https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/ Healthy Recipes http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-living.aspx http://allrecipes.com/recipes/17204/everyday-cooking/family-friendly/kid- friendly/kids/

Resources Abdelbary, M. (2017, August 09). Learning in Motion: Bring Movement Back to the Classroom. Retrieved November 01, 2017, from https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2017/08/08/learning-in-motion-bring-movement-back- to Healthy Eating Plate & Healthy Eating Pyramid. (2017, August 24). Retrieved November 01, 2017, from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/ Obesity in Children. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2017, from https://www.webmd.com/children/guide/obesity-children#2 Preventing Childhood Obesity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2017, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/ChildhoodObesity/Preventing- Childhood-Obesity-Tips-for-Parents-and-Caretakers_UCM_456118_Article.jsp#.WfpVbmZe6Uk Report on Childhood Obesity - Planning for a Healthier Tomorrow. (n.d.). Retrieved November 01, 2017, from http://www.childrensaidnyc.org/impact/stories/report-childhood-obesity- planning-healthier-tomorrow