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Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child?
We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!
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The My Overweight Child blog will help you keep informed about the latest research, findings, and resources available to parents of overweight or obese kids. There are many knowledgeable people working on the increasingly dire problem of childhood obesity - and we want to give parents a place where they can check in regularly to see the latest studies and tips available to help you help your child lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
We invite you to add your comments - if you have feedback for the blog, would like some specific topics covered, or you just want to share your experience as a parent dealing with childhood obesity.
A study by researchers in British Columbia, Canada, has found that increased physical education classes don't improve body mass index (BMI) for schoolchildren. "[Dr. Kevin] Harris said researchers looked at 13 trials of six months to three years in which pre- and post-BMI measurements were taken. In studies involving nearly 10,000 children, primarily in elementary schools, none demonstrated a reduction in BMI with those who were assigned to the most phys-ed time, compared to those who didn't have as much." The information, which was presented at the Canadian Pediatric Society conference in Victoria, is expected to diminish hopes that more school-based phys-ed classes would have been a cure-all for childhood obesity. While increased physical activity in school does have tremendous health benefits for children, it appears weight loss may not be one of them. Source: The Vancouver Sun Labels: body_mass_index, physical_education, schools
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created a program designed to help connect local farmers with the area's school food service directors. connect and. This "Farm-to-School" effort to get more local fruits and vegetables into public schools is the result of an initiative by the 2007 Virginia General Assembly. "The Farm-to-School program is about creating connections between growers, distributors and educational institutions,' said Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner. 'Through these connections, we also can reach children and their parents,' he added." The program's web site helps food service directors learn what food is available and where it can be purchased. Both the program and the website are administered by VDACS' Division of Marketing. Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Labels: farmers, healthy_eating, schools
Farmers have begun pressuring New York State lawmakers to set higher nutritional standards for public schools. Higher standards would not only help combat childhood obesity, but could potentially create a lot of business for New York farmers. "Components of a healthy-schools bill include requiring the state to set nutritional and dietary standards for school meals and snacks, with an emphasis on unsweetened fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutritional foods." The farmers make a strong case for the higher standards by reminding lawmakers that produce and other items shipped from farms in upstate New York will be cost-effective because packing and shipping costs will be reduced. Both the Assembly and Senate passed their own versions of healthy-schools bills, but they couldn't reach a compromise before the session ended. Source: Press Connects Labels: farmers, legislation, schools
The Illinois state Senate has passed legislation that would ban the use of trans fats in all schools that participate in the state lunch program. "As the number of reports of childhood obesity rises, at least eight states have limited the use of trans fats in foods, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has an outright ban on trans fats in school meals, and Oregon doesn't let schools sell snacks with trans fats." Now that the bill has been approved the by the Senate, it moves on to the House, where it's expected to pass as well. From there, the bill would have to be signed into law by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Source: Chicago Tribune. Labels: fats, legislation, schools
A bill pending in the Illinois State Senate would ban trans fats in schools if voted into law. Senator Donne Trotter introduced the legislation, citing a school's responsibility for teaching kids the benefits of healthy eating habits. "Illinois' bill would require the State Board of Education to eliminate cafeteria food cooked with vegetable oils containing trans fats by July 2009. A year later, all foods with added trans fats from cafeterias, vending machines and a la carte items would be outlawed. Food with naturally occurring trans fats - including meat, milk and cheese - would be exempt." Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. While these fats improve food's flavor and increase shelf life, they have also been linked to high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Source: The Courier News - Chicago Labels: fats, legislation, schools
Childhood obesity is a complex problem that can't be fixed overnight or by just one group of people. We can't look only to schools or parents or the children themselves. It's going to take everyone working together to solve this problem. "Some may argue that it is the individual's choice as to what they eat, how they exercise, and if they put themselves at greater risk for co-morbidity of obesity. However, children are products of our environment and reflect the habits that we teach them." Similarly, all responsibility can't rest with the parents, because kids spend a significant time away from their homes. Schools need to support parents' efforts to teach their kids healthy eating and exercise habits. Source: The Ellsworth American Labels: community, responsibility, schools
Mississippi is often ranked 1st or 2nd in childhood obesity. In an effort to get scales moving in the opposite direction, former Miss Mississippi contestant Catherine Carter helped develop an exercise program called "You Gotta Move." "[Carter] says this is important because it educates children about the importance of daily exercise, and it shows them at an early age that it is fun to be fit and healthy. Pediatricians are reporting more frequent cases of obesity related diseases in children such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol." You Gotta Move was created for use in kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms. The DVD contains exercises that kids can do right at their desks. Read more at WLBT.com. Labels: activity, exercise, schools
Minnesota's Public Health Finance Division has voted against a measure that would require "obesity checks" for the state's schoolchildren. The plan would have monitored childhood obesity by collecting body-mass index information during the school year. "The biggest worry from those who objected: The numbers could shame overweight children and teenagers. 'They know in the third grade that they're fat. They know that,' said Rep. Neil Peterson, R-Bloomington, who said he has female relatives with eating disorders. 'Now you're going to line 'em up in class and do monitoring so you reinforce that.'" The bill's sponsor argues that the information would not be made public, but would instead be used to determine how and where efforts against childhood obesity are focused. Read more at WCCO.com. Labels: legislation, schools, shame
Between 2003 and 2007, the state of North Carolina lost more than $10 million in its child-nutrition programs, going from a $5.6 million profit to a $5.7 million loss. Officials say the loss was primarily caused by increased costs associated with introducing healthier foods into school meal programs. "Schools began offering healthier a la carte items in cafeterias, but those items cost more, Hoggard said. For example, the cost of 240 regular cookies is about $41, but the cost of 240 reduced-fat, whole-grain cookies is about $55. And those healthier items don't sell as well..." Lynn Hoggard, section chief for child nutrition in North Carolina, estimates that it could cost between $15 million and $20 million to implement the necessary nutrition changes. Read more at StarNewsOnline.com. Labels: healthy_eating, nutrition, schools
In the Las Cruces Public Schools (New Mexico), health and nutrition expert Barbara Berger has outlined suggestions for increasing students' physical activity; by using activity - instead of food - as a reward. "Children love being active, so it seems logical that activity be used as a real reward. Instead of celebrating with a pizza party or an ice cream social in class, try a fun outing such as a nature walk or a game of tag... For older students, how about a jump rope contest, H-O-R-S-E (basketball shooting game) or playing with hula hoops?" By substituting activity for food, kids not only learn to more greatly appreciate and enjoy physical activity but they reduce the risk of develop unhealthy attitudes towards food. Read more at LCSun-News.com. Labels: exercise, rewards, schools
The Utah school board has voted 11 to four to keep control of policies that determine what is sold in school vending machines. The board voted down what would have banned, state-wide, the sale of pop and candy in school vending machines. "So school districts now just have to come up with policies on vending machine and other fare that doesn't come through the school lunch program, and submit them to the state school board in January 2009." State board members acknowledge that childhood obesity is a serious issue, but believe that local school districts need to take matters into their own hands, rather than relying on state-controlled legislations. Looking for a boarding school in Utah? Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo.com for a compete list of boarding junior and high schools in Utah. Labels: healthy_eating, schools, vending_machines
A school district in Central New York State has become the second in the state to ban cupcakes and other desserts from birthday celebrations. The school has also begun to replace soda with milk and sandwich rolls with whole wheat bread. Surprisingly, few kids mind the change. "'I like everything except for the cheese,' said Scott Huynh, 10. 'Cupcakes make you really fat, and vegetables keep you going longer, and also you won't die early if you eat them.' Jake Temple, 10, said he didn't really miss eating cupcakes. 'The vegetables actually taste kinda weird, but they give you more energy than fatty food.'" Some students and parents, however, think the ban on birthday sweets goes too far. The general sentiment among the group is that, while limiting sweets is important, having a cupcake at a birthday celebration isn't going to cause obesity in anyone. Labels: dessert, nutrition, schools
A federal pilot program that's been running in 14 states may be expanded across the country when the nation sets its agricultural policy for the next five years. The program makes fruits and vegetables more readily available in school lunch programs and is being heavily lobbied for by the United Fresh Produce Association. "'Kids eat way less than half of the total fruit and vegetables they need to eat for good health,' said Lorelai DiSogra, a nutritionist at United Fresh Produce Association, which represents fruit and vegetable growers. 'If you can make fresh fruits and vegetables available, kids are going to eat it.'" A program expansion would make as much as $225 million available, making it easier to expand the program beyond its current pilot stage. Labels: healthy_eating, nutrition, schools
With an estimated 13 million children and adolescents considered obese, school systems and health officials have been diligently searching for ways help kids be healthier. From changes in school cafeteria food to increased daily physical activities, the changes have been widespread and are beginning to get results. "A recent CDC study shows that the share of school cafeterias offering their students French fries as the only vegetable item on their menus has dropped from 40 percent in 2000 to 18.8 percent in 2006... A...program in Texas, close to El Paso, has helped reduce the percentage of children with weight problems from 25.8 percent in 2002 to 23.4 percent in 2005." There's still a long way to go, but all indications are that the health of the nation's children is slowly improving. Because children spend less than 20 percent of their time in school, it's important for parents to take positive steps at home, too. Labels: nutrition, schools
The American medical community has written a bold statement calling for widespread reform in federal food policies. The American Medical Association places much of the blame for our current obesity epidemic on the Federal Farm Bill, which creates large subsidies for things like meat, eggs and dairy products but almost none for fruits and vegetables. "Federal law currently requires the USDA to purchase commodity foods - meat, dairy products, eggs, and other unhealthy foods - and dump them into school lunch programs. These foods are not selected for nutritional value but are designed to support agricultural businesses by removing surpluses and providing price supports. That's why lunch menus are loaded with cheeseburgers, roast beef with gravy, and sausage-and-cheese pizza, while low-fat and vegetarian options are virtually absent. In the most recent federal survey, about 80 percent of elementary and middle schools violate the USDA's own limits on fat in foods." The problem also extends to the USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The WIC program is supposed to provide nutritional support for at-risk populations, but supplies up two 24 quarts of milk a month while supplying less than two pounds of fruits and vegetables. Labels: legislation, nutrition, schools
The No Child Left Behind Act currently speaks only to academic education, but some members of the House of Representatives would like to add physical education requirements to the Act's upcoming reauthorization. To that end, they have introduced the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids (FIT Kids) Act, H.R. 3257. "The bill would add physical education to the multiple measures for determining accountability under NCLB, offering schools another way to meet their adequate yearly progress while promoting physical activity and nutritional education for students. States would be measured on their progress toward meeting a national goal for required physical education recommended by the Centers for Disease Control of 150 minutes per week in elementary schools and 225 minutes per week for students in middle and high schools." School districts and states would also be asked to report on students' physical activity and help promote healthy lifestyles. Studies have shown that the most physically active and healthy students often achieve the greatest academic success, which is what prompted the introduction of the FIT Kids Act. Labels: legislation, physical_education, schools
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, New Jersey, has committed $500 million to reversing the effects of childhood obesity. The foundation has announced that it hopes to reach this goal by the year 2015. "If we don't act to reverse this alarming trend, we're in danger of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than the generation before them. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical, because habits that last into adulthood frequently are formed during youth." The RWJ Foundation will take a three-pronged approach to the fight against obesity; building an evidence base, encouraging action in communities and schools, and advocating for the prevention of childhood obesity. Read more at RWJF.org. Labels: advocacy, community, schools
Some Long Island school districts, in an effort to combat childhood obesity, have banned cupcakes and other sugary foods in the classrooms. At least eight school districts will no longer allow unhealthy treats at classroom birthday celebrations. "The strict diet rules could also affect such school traditions as bake sales and teachers handing out candy as classroom rewards. In place of cupcakes, school districts are considering healthier foods and games to celebrate birthdays." Some parents, however, feel the step is too extreme and are calling the move "Big Brother paternalism". Mount Bachelor Academy private high school offers the Lifestep Curriculum to help teens find their path in life. Labels: healthy_eating, nutrition, schools
An obesity prevention program called 5-2-1-Go! has been found to not only help prevent obesity, but reduce the risk of eating disorders among middle school girls. About 4% of girls who did not participate in the program developed disordered eating and weight loss methods, compared to just 1% of girls who did participate. "The results suggest that it may be possible for school-based programs to help prevent obesity and eating disorder symptoms in adolescent girls." The authors of the study feel further research is needed to determine if other obesity programs produce the same or similar results. Labels: girls, prevention, schools
Vending machines are as common in schools as notebooks and gymnasiums. But the food offered in vending machines is often equally high in both calories and fat grams. Now, Solana Beach-based natural food company YoNaturals Inc. has offered free vending machines and installation to local schools. "The company's biggest target is public schools. The company hopes to clear out unhealthy snacks on campuses and contribute to the fight against childhood obesity and early-onset diabetes." The vending machines will contain natural and organic food and snacks ranging in price from 75 cents to two dollars. Read more at SDBJ.com. Labels: healthy_eating, schools, vending_machines
Susan Rubin and Amy Kalafa, two moms who are frustrated by the lack of nutritional value in most school food, have started a food fight. But rather than throw mashed potatoes, they're throwing punches - in the form of a documentary called "Two Angry Moms". "[Kalafa] was inspired by a state agricultural official who once said that it would take 2 million angry moms to change school food in the U.S. The women are fighting to remove foods such as chicken nuggets, French fries, cookies, candy, chips, doughnuts, snack cakes and sugary drinks from school vending machines and cafeterias." Some school officials are pushing back against the documentary, citing cafeteria and vending machine numerous recent changes in thousands of school districts across the country. Though Kalafa acknowledges that there have been many positive changes, she says schools still have a long way to go. Read more at LansingStateJournal.com. Labels: education, parents, schools
The U.S. will spend over $1 billion on nutrition education for school children. Despite that, obesity problems are steadily increasing. "...an Associated Press review of scientific studies examining 57 such programs found mostly failure. Just four showed any real success in changing the way children eat – or any promise as weapons against the growing epidemic of childhood obesity." National obesity rates among children ages 6- to 11-years old have increased to nearly five times what they were in the 1970s, and tripled among teenagers. Most doctors agree that, though childhood obesity programs often target schools, parents have the biggest influence over what their kids eat. Read more at Boston.com. Labels: education, nutrition, schools
Dole Food Company, Inc has become the first (and so far the only) produce company to sign the Memorandum of Understanding created by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Memorandum sets forth industry guidelines on foods that are sold in schools. "The Dole Nutrition Institute will collaborate with the Alliance on school demonstration projects that promote student acceptability of fruits and vegetables, provide food service staff with training on preparing and serving healthier food items, and communicate recommended nutritional practices within the educational setting and to parents." Dole will also partner with the Alliance in identifying schools in which fruits and vegetables need to be made more readily available. Read more at Home.Businesswre.com. Labels: healthy_eating, nutrition, schools
A seminar this past Tuesday focused on teaching Head Start administrators about a new project being used to combat childhood obesity. The program is called "I am Learning, I am Moving" and uses songs to get children up and moving. "[Dr. Linda] Carson said a big reason childhood obesity has reached a crisis mode in our country is physical inactivity. 'Our children need to be encouraged to be physically active', Carson said." The program also stresses healthy choices for meals and snacks. Read more at CBS46.com. Schools can help kids get an education in fitness, nutrition, and living a health lifestyle. Read Getting an Education in Fitness to see what schools can do to help combat childhood obesity. Labels: education, fitness, schools
The California legislature has passed two bills that take effect this Sunday and are intended to impose tougher nutrition standards in public schools. One of the bills implements stricter nutrition standards for food; the other does the same for beverages. "The school nutrition bills grew out of former Sen. Martha Escutia's struggles with gestational diabetes when she had her second child eight years ago. Her research on diabetes and its links to obesity led to a 6-and-a-half-year campaign against school junk food." The standards for food limit the amount of salt, saturated fat, sugar and calories a snack food can contain; while the beverage bill requires than at least half the drinks sold at schools are healthy and something other than soda. Read more at MohaveDailyNews.com. Labels: healthy_eating, nutrition, schools
Since 2004, Schools on the Move... Step Club has been encouraging kids and parents to walk 20 to 30 minutes twice a week before class. Now, a $40,000 grant from St. John's Foundation for Community Health will ensure the program continues. "Participants receive incentives as they achieve different levels in the program. About 2,000 elementary students and their parents participated in the 2006-07 school year, said Sandra Pratt, community recreation services administrator." Six of the 24 Springfield, Missouri elementary schools participated during this last school year. Each school had at least 100 kids and parents walking together on a regular basis. Read more at News-Leader.com. Labels: exercise, incentives, schools
School playgrounds and recreational facilities could play a major role in helping to combat childhood obesity - but only if they remain open and accessible, says a recent RAND corporation study. In many low-income areas where there is limited or no access to neighborhood parks, children are often heavier and more sedentary. Access to playgrounds, basketball courts and paved playing surfaces - such as those found in schools - could help to increase opportunities for physical activity. But many schools are closing their doors and their playground areas on weekends, researchers found. Of those areas observed in the study, Washington/Baltimore, Tucson, and New Orleans schools were least likely to have unlocked schools with accessible facilities. Labels: exercise, playgrounds, schools
The Allen School District in Texas is planning to re-introduce a school route that many modern-day kids aren't familiar with: a walking trail. The plan is to construct a concrete trail that joins with an existing pedestrian underpass. "'The whole point is to reduce traffic and increase childhood health,' [Kelly McGinnis] said. McGinnis cited studies from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that show a drop in children walking or biking to school and an increase in obesity rates, diabetes, asthma and other health issues." The new trail would give kids a safe path, away from busy streets, while simultaneously reducing traffic during common drop-off and pick-up times. Read more at Courier-Gazette.com. Wellspring Texas is the first Wellspring weight loss program in the Southwest where boys and girls, work with a highly motivated staff to become long-term weight controllers while having an amazing summer! Learn more about Wellspring Texas >>Labels: childhood_health, schools, texas
Federal school meal programs have had to adhere to specific standards for years, but food and snacks that aren't part of a federal program have not. Today, U.S. Health Officials took their first steps to correct this and improve the overall health and nutritional value of food, beverages, and snacks offered in public schools. "The committee authoring this report first divided foods and beverages into two tiers, based on how well they conform to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Tier 1 foods and beverages provide at least one serving of fruit, vegetable and/or whole grains or non fat/low-fat dairy. Tier 2 items do not meet Tier 1 specifications but aren't entirely outside dietary intake recommendations. These might include baked potato chips, low-sodium whole wheat crackers or animal crackers." Lisa Harper Mallonee, a registered dietician, says the recommendations are wonderful but also emphasized the importance of getting schools and parents working to implement the recommendations. Read more online. Labels: health_officials, nutrition, schools
With the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, Florida legislators are trying to help the children of their state by requiring elementary students get at least 2 ½ hours a week of physical education physical education. The purposed bill would also require that junior high students get a minimum of 3 hours and 45 minutes of PE a week. "'Obesity is becoming an epidemic and not only the state of Florida but nationally,' says Rep. Will Weatherford. 'I think this is an opportunity for us to really tackle it at the early stages... and we're talking about elementary school kids.'" State legislators are working with the American Heart Association to make sure kids of the Sunshine State get the time they need to exercise while at school. Read more online. Labels: legislation, schools, states
It's easy to blame schools for the childhood obesity epidemic. After all, until recently, unhealthy snacks and beverages were available to children both during the school day and after school. But according to new research from Ohio State University, school provides a structured environment similar to the workweek for adults, in which students have less access to food, healthier choices of food, and more activity than they do at home. The study used data from a survey of over 5,000 students throughout the United States and found that BMI measurements of overweight children rose more than three times faster during summer vacation than during the school year. Interestingly, those with racial and ethnic predisposition for obesity had higher BMIs than those without racial and ethnic predisposition only during the summer - not during the school year. Study authors conclude that while schools can do a better job in teaching children about healthy food and activity choices, the major part of the childhood obesity problem lies outside of school. Labels: body_mass_index, education, schools
Now that schools are finally tackling the unhealthy lunch problem and banning sweetened drinks from vending machines, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Or maybe not. Many children bring packed lunches to school, with the majority falling short of healthy by a long shot.
If your child carries her lunch to school, how does it measure up? Ideally, you should pack small portions of foods from a variety of food groups: fruit and vegetables, nuts and meat, grains (preferably whole-wheat) and low fat dairy. Try some of these kid-pleasing ideas: - A slice of turkey in a whole wheat tortilla wrap with lettuce and tomatoes
- Wheat crackers with low fat cheese
- Whole wheat pita with hummus
- Sliced apples with low fat peanut butter (if school doesn’t have a nut free policy)
- Cut up raw veggies with low fat dip
- Small salad with sliced strawberries on top
- Deviled egg
- Small carton of low fat yogurt
- A handful of almonds or other nuts or soy nuts
- Soup or baked beans kept warm in a small thermos.
There should be no more (and probably less!) than one treat in the lunch box. Fresh fruit or a pudding made with low fat milk should suffice. Labels: healthy eating, nutrition, schools
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