New Program Tackles Childhood Obesity in Tween Boys
One of the most at-risk groups for childhood obesity and early onset diabetes is “tween” boys between the ages of roughly 9-13. The problem can be quantified by analyzing the habits of boys in this range: they have passed the ages where imagination and outside play peaks and oftentimes their metabolisms have not yet started climbing towards their teen year peaks. On top of that, they seem to have an affinity for video games or television and high-calorie foods like sodas and sweets. This tremendously increases their chances of struggling with early onset obesity.
However, there is hope for tween boys in managing the increased risks of these “awkward years” and making sure that they remain healthy and happy into their teens. Meet Dr. Eileen Kennedy, a pediatric psychologist who works with a new program called Fit Youth which is based at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. Since 2005, Kennedy has directly helped 211 families with kids ages 7 to 16 who were struggling with childhood obesity. The Fit Youth program only accepts children with BMIs for age in the 95th percentile and above, meaning that out of a group of 100 kids they would only accept the 5 children who were heaviest for their height.
Health Club Vending Machines to get Healthy Snacks
Health club vending machines are all up to the challenge of promoting a healthier nation. This time though, one of them is targeting all parents’ participation in achieving a healthy lifestyle. After all, if we want our kids to start living healthy, parents should lead by example.
“Too much blame is being placed on the kids. Adults need to step up and be better role models if we want our kids to be healthy. That’s what this is all about,” says Chuck Runyon—CEO of Anytime Fitness—pertaining to the nationwide campaign featuring TV commercials and full-page ads in USA Today and People magazine which declare “There is no childhood obesity epidemic.”
Kids Obesity Epidemic Needs Stopping
Admit it or not, but when we see babies don’t we just find them utterly adorable and cute—especially with those bulky cheeks and arms—that we end up poking and pinching them lightly? While it is okay for babies to have those girths, it becomes alarming when they grow up getting heavier and not losing the extra weight.
Past researches have confirmed that in the past four decades, over 23 million children and teenagers in the US ages 2 to 19 are obese or overweight, a statistic which health and medical experts say constitute an epidemic. Because of that, various groups including health workers, city governors, civic leaders, and school administrators have been working together to promote childhood healthier lifestyle among children. And the most recent action taking place to fight childhood obesity is Congress’ designation of September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
Healthy Eating a Great New Business Opportunity
Times are hard and it’s even harder if one becomes sick. The expenses can be depressing, from hospitalization to medication, and can also potentially leave you out of money for the rainy days. This is one of the reasons why the drive to go for a healthy lifestyle is being fueled by providing adults with healthier meal options and students with school nutrition lunch programs.
But did you know that while healthy eating is good for everyone, it also shows potential success in business? Just see how many restaurants are now adapting health-friendly menu by serving a variety of salads, low calorie and low fat lunches, high-protein meals, fresh fruit juices and smoothies. Likewise, many fast foods have also started doing a makeover in their menus by creating healthier versions of old-time favorites such as muffins, sandwiches, chicken nuggets, and even burger patties.
Healthy Vending Machines Needed as Obesity Rages On
White House First Lady Michelle Obama enthusiastically urges the American people to eat healthy and start moving through her Let’s Move program. Congress has ordered reauthorization of the child nutrition legislation. School districts have introduced additional healthful foods in their cafeterias to ensure students are well-fed with the right nutrients and minerals. And fast foods are revolutionizing their menu, too, to come up with healthier versions of their dishes. All these and more are fervently being pushed through to successfully fight against the obesity epidemic. However, a new report was recently released saying despite all these efforts, the cases of obesity continue to worsen.
From the three states recorded to have at least one-third of obese adults in 2007, the number raised a triple notch higher in only two years, affecting the nine states that included Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. The report was from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Report, which also showed no obesity prevalence in any state in the year 2000.
Obesity in America Needs to be Addressed
In America, obesity has already become an epidemic that puts the health of numerous American children at risk. Many of these children won’t live longer due to obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, circulatory disease, sleep apnea, arthritis and so many more. Family income as well as the government’s funds will be spent on obesity-related problems and even dreams will be shut out.
Just as childhood obesity begins at home, so does its prevention or reduction – it must start and be carried on within the four walls of the home. Even if the baby is still inside the mother’s womb, expectant mothers should diligently monitor their weight as this will likely affect the baby’s weight as well. In fact, recent studies have already implied that excessive, prenatal weight gain significantly raises the possibilities that the child in the mother’s womb will be struggling with obesity.
In the August issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study focused on assessing the dietary patterns of early childhood. Based on the study, children, ages three to four who take in less greasy foods and more of the dark green and deep yellow vegetables were less likely to be overweight at age eight. All the more, this type of diet paved the way for the children’s healthier and stronger bones at age eight.
Kids That Eat School Lunches and Buy From Vending Machines Likely Obese
In the midst of our nation’s enthusiastic fight against childhood obesity, an alarming yet interesting story hits the pages of Time magazine, stating that kids who eat school meals and buy from vending machines are likely to get obese, and that child obesity rate has gone up from 5 percent in 1970 to 19 percent at our present time. Hard facts, aren’t they? But any parent who’d get the chance to read this will probably think whether or not they should simply start preparing and packing lunch for their kids instead.
A new data from US Department of Agriculture stated that students who eat federally funded school meals have more chances to gain the extra weight than those who don’t. Now you’d ask are we actually getting this from USDA who’s on the forefront of fighting child obesity along with the other lobbying sectors?
Fixing America’s Obesity Problem
As each day passes by, Americans are getting fatter. The cause of obesity lies in a simple explanation. We consume too much junk food and spend too much time sitting down in front of the TV, phone, computer and so many other gadgets that do not give us any opportunities to move and burn those calories.
One solution to this problem is behavior modification. If only people would eat more fresh produce and do away with the unhealthy ones. If only children would exercise more or engage in physical activities rather than sitting around with chips and soda in front of their favorite TV shows.
Girls Entering Puberty Earlier May be Linked to Childhood Obesity
Though girls may come to the physical examination feeling self conscious, their mothers should be more concerned. There are some young girls who are barely in grade school displaying first signs of puberty. According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, girls reaching puberty early are more common now, then a decade ago.
Researchers have found that at age of 7, 10% and 23% of white and black girls respectively are having budding breasts. Comparatively to a study in 1997, it was 5% ad 15% respectively. Lore Nelson, a specialist in adolescent medicine, at the University of Kansas Hospital, said these finding confirm what many doctors have seen in their practices for years. The researchers believe that a main cause of early puberty in girls could be because of childhood obesity- one in five U.S children is obese. Children have too much access to junk food at home, in fast food restaurants and in school vending machines .
Dishing up Healthy Vending in Schools
If one does a Google search using the following keywords: wife,mother,p.e enthusiast, caretaker of Portuguese water dog, organic gardener at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, school lunch trailblazer, childhood obesity, architect of ‘Let’s Move’ campaign , the Google answer will be the first lady Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama is very resolute on changing the nation’s youngest citizens eating habits; from French-fry eating couch potatoes to organic vending minded, vegetable and healthy vending fruit loving active doers and clear thinkers. She wants to achieve this through the ‘Let’s Move’ campaign launched in February 2010.It is surprising that many schools are way ahead of her programs.