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Mississippi's the fattest state, Texas is pretty chubby, too! Combating obesity at home
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The results are in for the annual obesity ranking and the news is not good. F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, is the report released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The “F”, I believe, is the grade the nation receives for its failure to address the epidemic of obesity which only appears to be getting worse. Though we Texans not at the tip-top of the obesity list, we tie Georgia for the 14th spot for adults at 27.9%. And we rank 20th for overweight and obese children aged 10 through 17.
Mississippi, as the heaviest state in the union, takes the prize again this year with alarming numbers, the scariest of which is its childhood obesity statistic. According to the study, 44% of Mississippi minors are obese---44%!!! That is a huge number! (No pun intended) But we Texans should not be too self-congratulatory, we have a significant problem in our state, as well—Houston in particular. According to the American Obesity Society, Houston is among the top-10 Overweight Cities.
How can we parents start to combat this reality in our own homes? Dr. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, says the answers are “not difficult: physical activity and nutrition." We parents have to be aware of not just ways we can combat the problem at our own kitchen tables, but also ways we can get help in the community. Dr. Sanborn says this is not just a parental problem, “it’s everyone’s concern”. The Children at Risk website offers guidance with finding community programs and services. Click here to see the alarming list of negative psychological and health outcomes for overweight and obese children.
What to do at Home
The American Obesity Society provides an excellent action list for parents. Below, I have reproduced the list in its entirety. Check it out. These steps are not difficult for parents who understand the dire importance of keeping their children healthy. Be proactively smart and incorporate one or two suggestions at a time to effectuate life-long changes for the health of your entire family. For a more complete discussion of this issue, go to http://www.obesity.org/information/childhood_overweight.asp
Tips for Parents & Caregivers to Help Establish Healthy Eating Patterns with Kids
• Parents should choose what children can eat, (what foods and drinks are in the home, what foods and drinks are served at meals and snacks, what restaurants they go to, etc) but among those foods, parents should allow kids to choose whether they eat at all and how much to eat.
• Fruits and vegetables, as compared to high calorie snack foods (often high fat and high sugar), should be readily available in the home.
• Serve and eat a variety of foods from each food group.
• Use small portions - child portions are usually very small, particularly compared to adult portions. More food can always be added.
• Bake, broil, roast or grill meats instead of frying them.
• Limit use of high calorie, high fat and high sugar sauces and spreads.
• Use low-fat or nonfat and lower calorie dairy products for milk, yogurt and ice cream.
• Support participation in play, sports and other physical activity at school, church or community leagues.
• Be active as a family - Go on a walk, bike ride, swim or hike together. Limit TV time.
• Avoid eating while watching TV. TV viewers may eat too much, too fast, and are influenced by the foods and drinks that are advertised.
• Replace high-sugared drinks, especially sodas, with water and/or low fat milk.
• Limit fruit juice intake to two servings or less per day (one serving = ¾ cup) - Many parents allow their children unlimited intake of fruit juice (100%) because of the accompanying vitamins and minerals. However, children who drink too much fruit juice may be consuming excess calories.
• Encourage free play in young children and provide environments that allow children to play indoors and outdoors.
• Role model through actions healthy dietary practices, nutritional snacks, and lifestyle activities. Avoid badgering children, restrictive feeding, labeling foods as "good" or "bad," and using food as a reward.
(From American Obesity Association, http://www.obesity.org .Adapted with permission from Children's Eating Laboratory, Copyright 2001. The Pennsylvania State University)
FOR MORE INFO:
Healthy eating starts at home-- Join the Family Meal Challenge, http://tinyurl.com/familymeal/
Speaking of physical activity--- Check out, Are you the Soccer Mom from H-E-(Double Hockey Sticks)?!!? tinyurl.com/SoccerMomPlay
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