Rainbow Blog

Childhood Obesity

posted by: Kia

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Blog Carnival

This article was written for inclusion in the blog carnival hosted by Littlestomaks to promote awareness of childhood obesity as part of the National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Please read to the end of this article to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

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The subject of childhood obesity is one that really pulls at my heart because I think for the most part, prevention is possible. I don’t think any parent would want to see their child suffer, especially if it’s preventable! No matter what the task, whether it’s doing your laundry or living a healthy lifestyle, it’s so much easier to prevent and maintain than it is to have to start at a deficit. For example, if you don’t do your laundry for a few weeks you will then find yourself facing a huge mountain of clothes to tackle, which will probably take at least a day or two to work your way through. It’s also become a really daunting task! However, if you do your laundry every week, you will only need an hour or two to stay caught up and on top of things! The same goes for setting healthy habits.

I think that if we look at the prevention side of childhood obesity it’s a far more positive and achievable way to view this issue. Reading all the statistics and seeing shows where you see painfully obese children can make this issue seem impossible to fix. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to point the finger and find someone to blame. In placing the responsibility of finding a solution in the hands of big business and governments. We can get so caught up in finger-pointing that we forget what the goal should be…raising healthy kids! I think that parents are the most powerful and influential forces when it comes to taking on obesity! “Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean” ~ Goethe

I think prevention starts with education! To successfully take on childhood obesity and get kids to want to lead a healthier lifestyle will require a conscious effort that actively involves educating parents. Most overweight and obesity problems in childhood are caused by children eating too much and not exercising enough. That is easy to understand and we can all do something about it!! Educating parents and children on the basics of healthy living is an achievable goal if we keep things simple and provide tools to turn knowledge into action! “Knowing” something is very different from living it!

It’s important that the entire family join together Make healthy eating and exercise a family affair. Get kids involved with planning and prepare healthy meals, take them grocery shopping so they can learn how to make great food choices, teach them skills in the kitchen…these things will making a lasting impression on kids! When it comes to getting kids on board…try to make things fun and hands-on!

If we take this huge issue and break it down into small achievable parts then it isn’t so overwhelming! Keep it simple…eat healthier food, watch portion sizes, get active, give parents knowledge and tools to help them raise healthy kids, and get the kids themselves to take interest in their bodies and their health.

I believe the challenge of taking on childhood obesity can be successful with everyone working together for the common goal of healthy kids!

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Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

7 Things Parents Say That Cause Eating and Weight Problems in Kids Michelle May, Physician and author of Eat What You Love Love What You Eat, highlights a few things parents say which can have unintended consequences (@EatWhatYouLove)

Childhood Obesity Kia Robertson of Today I Ate a Rainbow suggests that prevention of childhood obesity should start with education and educating parents about basics of healthy eating by breaking it into achievable parts (@eatingarainbow)

Childhood Obesity: A Reality Check Dr Susan Rubin, founder of BSF, suggests we change our approach to looking at childhood obesity (@DrSuRu)

Childhood Obesity: Prevention Starts in Infancy Nutrition expert Sarah Fennel reminds us that prevention is the best cure and offers a few tips to raise healthy eaters (@FoodFunHealth)

Giving Our Children a Chance at Health Registered dietitian Susan Dopart offers tips to parents for taking charge of their child’s health in the world of over-processed “kid foods” (@smnutritionist)

Healthy School Campaigns Works on Creating Healthy Food Environments A report on Chicago’s Healthy School Campaigns (HFC), a non profit dedicated to creating a healthy food environment in schools

How to Prevent and Manage Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Jessica Levinson offers practical tips to prevent and manage childhood obesity (@JLevinsonRD)

Lessons I have Learned as a Mom Registered dietitian Alysa Bajenaru shares some of the lessons she has learned that have helped her develop a good understanding of what it takes to feed her kids (@InspiredRD)

Looking for a New Trend in Childhood Obesity? Registered dietitian Elizabeth Rahavi of the IFIC brings the focus back on family in the debate about childhood obesity (@FoodInsight)

Losing Weight: It Starts in Your Head Registered dietitian Cindy Williams reminds us of the power of attitude and mindset in losing weight and controlling obesity (@nutritionchic)

Making the Grade Registered dietitian Sally Kuzemchak evaluates her son’s school programs on healthy eating and physical activity (@RMNutrition)

Obesity and GERD: A Family Affair Jan Gambino, author of Reflux 101, writes about the link between overweight and GERD

Parents, Let’s Take a Positive Approach to Childhood Obesity Registered dietitian Ashley Rosales from the Dairy Council of California encourages parents to take a positive approach in helping their kids build healthy habits

Revolutionize the Way Your Kids Eat in Five Easy Steps Sociologist Dr Dina Rose suggests we shift our focus from nutrition to eating habits if we are serious about solving childhood obesity (@DrDrRose)

Surprising Easy Solution for Preventing Childhood Obesity Research shows benefits of extended breastfeeding in reducing risk of childhood obesity (@TwinToddlersDad)

The Problem Behind Childhood Obesity Ken Whitman, Publisher of Organic Connections, points out that our national priorities concerning childhood obesity are misplaced and calls for a renewed focus on the health of our nations kids.

Yoga Gets Kids Moving Registered dietitian Danielle Omar has an interesting suggestion for solving childhood obesity – get your kids into yoga! (@2eatwellRD)