Note: This is the final article in a four-part series on Childhood Obesity presented by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes are available for viewing on www.missionhealthyliving.org. This final article focuses on what parents and children can do to start to change their habits, lose weight and live healthier lives.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY: WHAT CAN PARENTS DO NOW

TO HELP THEIR CHILD FIGHT OBESITY?

By: Dr. Laurie Betts, Program Officer, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

A recent White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released some startling information—childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America and it is now considered a national health crisis. If your child is already overweight or on his or her way to becoming overweight, now is the time to take action. The effects obesity can have on your child’s emotional and physical health, both in the short- and long-term, can be devastating. Making changes in your child’s life that will affect his or her health and weight positively can be difficult, and at first appear overwhelming. You may not even know where to begin, but there are easy ways to take small steps that will equate to big changes in your child’s future.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a child being overweight, including frequently eating a high-calorie diet, not getting enough exercise, family history, psychological issues and family dynamics. In addition to these factors, there are definite warning signs you can watch for that could indicate your child is already overweight or on the path to becoming obese including weight gain, inactivity or lethargy, depression, meal skipping, obsessions with food and continual snacking.

Steps To Take

As a parent, you have the most influence over your child’s eating habits. One of the most important first steps you can take is to commit to change as a family. Embarking on this journey as a family will enable long-term success because what you do will become a way of life in your household and constantly be reinforced. Remember, parents help build and shape lifelong eating patterns and children are likely to model the food and meal rituals of their families.

First, if your eating habits are less than perfect, don’t stress—bad nutritional habits can be changed. It is important to set the example, however. Secondly, it is imperative that parents set down some rules in regard to how their children view food. Do not use food as a reward, punishment or as a way to handle emotions. Finally, you want to teach your child the importance of healthy eating both at mealtimes and at snack time. Teaching your child how to satisfy cravings with options that are low in fat and contain simple sugars—sugars that are found in fruit rather than sugary snacks—are lessons that will last a lifetime. Taking the time to talk with your family and then incorporating the benefits of eating better into your lives will also go a long way. Good rules to follow for nutritional eating include:

• Limit sodas or high-sugar drinks

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

• Increase physical activity

• Eat more protein, nuts and leaner meats

Other things you can do as a family to help correct or prevent obesity include:

– Make an appointment to see the family doctor or pediatrician to get additional up-to-date-advice

on fighting childhood obesity.

– Record what your child eats and drinks for a week to show the doctor.

– Check out websites that have nutritional and exercise information you can use like

www.mypyramid.gov, www.nourishinteractive.com, www.letsmove.gov, and

www.missionhealthyliving.org.

– Make wise choices and keep only healthy food in the house.

– Severely limit sweet and fattening snacks, desserts and beverages.

– Don’t use food as a reward or a punishment.

– Stop eating out at fast food restaurants.

– Eat together as a family as often as possible with the focus on conversation; take your time

at meals and make them a relaxed and close family time.

– Exercise with your kids on a regular basis.

– Restrict TV and recreational computer time to a maximum of two hours a day.

– Lead by example, adopt good eating habits and exercise regularly—together.

– Teach your children how to handle negative emotions without using food. For instance, if he or

she is upset suggest a walk, listening to music or have them draw or write about what they are

feeling.

Changing the way your child and your family thinks about food does not have to happen all at once. Make a list of goals you want to achieve as a family to get healthy and lose weight. Choose one or two goals each month to incorporate into your daily living. The most important part of setting these goals is to choose something small enough that you can commit and stick to it. Start slowly and don’t overwhelm yourself, but keep your commitments even when it’s not convenient. Over a matter of months, you will start to see results and start to feel great about what you are doing for yourself and your family.

To learn more about the warning signs, risk factors and solutions to childhood obesity, plan on attending the free seminar sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation on Thursday, January 13, 2011, 7:00-8:00 PM at the Pottstown Senior Center, 724 North Adams Street, Pottstown. Dr. Laurie Betts, Program Officer for the Foundation, will discuss the trends, causes and health implications of childhood obesity, and practical steps you can take to reverse or prevent this serious condition. You will also hear about local programs that can aid in the prevention of childhood obesity. To register, please call Rose Crews at 610-323-2006 x21 or email her at rosecrews@pottstownfoundation.org.

About the Series – Childhood Obesity This four-part article series was developed by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes featuring local experts can be found on http://www.missionhealthyliving.org. The first article discusses how childhood obesity has become a national epidemic. The second article focuses on the warning signs and risk factors of childhood obesity. The third article talks about what schools are doing across the nation, the state of Pennsylvania and in Greater Pottstown to combat childhood obesity.

About the Foundation The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s new online community at www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life!

Note: This is the third article in a four-part series on Childhood Obesity presented by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes are available for viewing on www.missionhealthyliving.org.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY: WHAT ARE SCHOOLS DOING ON A

STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO FIGHT THE EPIDEMIC?

By: Dave Kraybill, Executive Director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

Back in 2004, The Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children Reauthorization Act required that all education agencies develop wellness policies to address childhood obesity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. Districts nationwide had to create at least one goal to improve wellness in the following categories: nutrition education, physical activity, availability of nutrition guidelines to students, and other school-based activities to address student wellness.

“Pennsylvania was one of the few states that actually collected and analyzed plans to ensure they addressed this problem of childhood obesity,” said Elaine McDonnell, projects coordinator, Project PA. “If school districts [in Pennsylvania] sent goals that did not meet state standards, the schools had to rework those plans.” Project PA was a collaboration between Penn State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition. The team partnered with schools and their communities to provide sound nutrition education and to promote children’s healthy eating behaviors.

Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet this required federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity. The state’s multi-faceted approach included mandatory training sessions for all school food service directors and financial incentives to schools that adopted state-created nutrient standards for the a la carte food items offered at the school. Ultimately, nearly all school districts worked with the state to formulate plans that would target obesity in some way. While Pennsylvania schools addressed and improved the food available through vending machines and a la carte offerings, they still were missing opportunities for physical activity, which did not improve.

A recent White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released some startling information—childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America and it is now considered a national health crisis. The report presents a series of specific recommendations, two of which involve school involvement—providing healthy food in schools and getting children more physically active through physical education, recess and other after-school opportunities.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has new legislation in draft form under Chapter 12 that, if passed, will require schools to establish and maintain wellness committees to assess, plan and implement, monitor district and school health and wellness policies and programs. This will include setting up goals and measuring success in the areas of nutrition and physical education at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

What Are Our Local Schools Doing?

The local school districts have been involved in addressing childhood obesity on a state level for many years. However, the local schools in Pottstown and those within a 10-mile radius have another advantage that most schools in Pennsylvania, even the nation, don’t have—grant funding available through a Foundation.

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation provides grants, programs and educational resources to the Pottstown Area to enhance the health and wellness of area residents—but that did not include giving grants to schools in the very beginning.

“Initially, we weren’t sure if we should fund a public entity,” comments Sharon Weaver, Board President, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “But, we soon realized that schools could be instrumental in furthering our vision.  All school districts, public and private, have initiated creative programs that continue to directly hit one of our target audiences—children.”

“We as a community have been very fortunate that our area school districts have embraced health and wellness, which includes addressing the problem of childhood obesity,” remarks Dave Kraybill, Executive Director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “The schools have consistently and creatively submitted grant requests for programs and projects that have been effective and well received by the students, teachers, parents and community. We thank them for their continued efforts and dedication to improving the health and wellness of our youth.”

There are many area schools using grants from the Foundation to improve the health and wellness of students. For more information about the programs offered for students and parents, please go to the school’s website.

School: Boyertown

Grants: Healthy Hearts and Minds, Revise Recess

For More Information: http://www.boyertownasd.org

School: Daniel Boone

Grants: Healthy for a Lifetime

For More Information: http://www.dboone.k12.pa.us

School: Owen J. Roberts

Grants: Fit for Life

For More Information: http://www.ojrsd.com

School: Perkiomen Valley

Grants: Creating Healthy Opportunities for Students, Comprehensive Adolescent Fitness Program

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Pottsgrove

Grants: Wellness Center Project, Walk4Life, Dance Dance Revolution, SNAP, Five for Life Program, SNAP Academy

For More Information: http://www.pgsd.org

School: Pottstown

Grants: Safe Schools/Healthy Students, Healthy Snack Program, CATCH Kids Club

For More Information: http://www.pottstownschools.com

School: Spring-Ford Area

Grant: Healthy Choices Project

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Blessed Theresa of Calcutta School, Schwenksville

Grant: Gymnasium Building Project for students K through 8

For More Information: http://www.blteresacalcutta.com

School: Coventry Christian School

Grant: Nutrition Curriculum Enhancement

For More Information: http://www.coventrychristian.com

School: Perkiomen Valley Academy

Grant: H.E.A.L. – Health & Emotional Alternatives for Life

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Sacred Heart School, Royersford

Grant: Health and Wellness

For More Information: http://parish.sacredheartroyersford.org

School: St. Aloysius School

Grant: Fitness, One Step at a Time

For More Information: http://www.saintaloysius.net

School: West-Mont Christian Academy

Grant: Fitness Training Room, Healthy Snack Program, Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

For More Information: http://www.west-mont.org

About the Series – Childhood Obesity This four-part article series was developed by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes featuring local experts can be found on http://www.missionhealthyliving.org. The first article discusses how childhood obesity has become a national epidemic. The second article discusses the risks, warning signs and long-term effects of childhood obesity. The final article will focus on what parents and children can do to start to change their habits, lose weight and live healthier lives.

About the Foundation The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s new online community at http://www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life!

Note: This is the second article in a four-part series on Childhood Obesity presented by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes are available for viewing on www.missionhealthyliving.org.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY: THE RISK FACTORS, WARNING SIGNS AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS

By: Dr. Laurie Betts, Program Officer, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

Too often, parents make excuses why their child is overweight, or worse, not even realize that their weight is becoming a problem. “It’s baby fat, she’ll out grow it.” “He’s just a good eater.” “She is just big-boned.” “His dad is big too, it’s in the family.” Unfortunately, ignoring the warning signs that your child is gaining weight or is already obese can have significant effects on their current and future physical health and surprisingly, their psychological health, too.

A recent White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released some startling information—childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America and it is now considered a national health crisis. The report goes on to say that the epidemic of childhood obesity is costing more than $3 billion a year in direct medical expenses and that is likely to rise if not stopped. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, approximately nine million American children over six years old are considered obese. In addition, one study found that obese six to eight year-olds were approximately ten times more likely to become obese adults than children with lower body mass indexes (BMI).

It is not considered normal for a child to be overweight. It is important that parents take the responsibility to feed their children healthy foods and monitor their intake in the early years, so that good eating habits stay with them for life. However, all too often, it is easier to let children self-monitor what they are eating due to their or your schedule. The reality is that parents need to be just as concerned about what their children eat as they are about teaching them not to get into cars with strangers.

Risk Factors for Childhood Obesity
There are a number of factors that can contribute to a child being overweight; in fact, the tendency can actually start before birth. If the mother uses tobacco, gains excessive weight or has diabetes, her child has an increased risk of being obese during the preschool years. If the child has a higher birth weight, has rapid weight gain in the first year of life or develops body fat in the preschool years, he or she has an increased risk of being obese by age seven.

Other risk factors include:
Diet – regularly eating high-calorie foods such as baked goods, fast food, fried food, vending machine snacks, sugary drinks, candy and desserts can easily cause a child to gain weight. All these foods lack significant nutritional value and are high in sugar, fat and calories.

Lack of exercise – children tend to spend more time in front of the TV, the computer and video games and less time outside playing sports, walking and riding bikes. Children who do not exercise much are likely to gain weight because they are not burning enough calories.

Family history – if the child comes from a family of overweight people or if one or both parents are obese, he or she is more likely to put on excess weight, especially if the parents do not eat well and high-calorie food is always available and exercise is not encouraged.

Psychological factors – children can overeat due to stressful school or home life situations. They also can turn to food to cope with any strong emotions or problems, or to fight boredom.

Family factors – parents buy the groceries, and if they are buying high-calorie or convenience foods, this is probably contributing to a child’s weight problem. Parents should limit the child’s exposure to these types of foods.

Socioeconomic factors – children from low-income backgrounds are unfortunately at higher risk. It takes both time and resources to make healthy eating and exercise a family priority.

Warning Signs
In addition to the risk factors for childhood obesity, there are definite warning signs a parent can watch for that could indicate your child is already overweight or on the path to becoming obese.

1. Weight gain – this is definitely a sign that your child is probably not eating correctly, especially if your child is a teenager. Teens are usually in a growth phase, and they should be absorbing energy from their food, not putting on unnecessary pounds and getting obese.

2. Inactivity – if your child starts to become overweight, he or she will most likely become less active and lethargic. Children need to be active in order to develop properly. The amount of physical education they get in school is not enough. Exercising as a family can help assure your child is getting enough physical activity.

3. Depression – this is a very serious condition, and if you are concerned your child may be depressed, always seek professional help. Depressed children often overeat, seeking solace in food. This can lead to obesity and eating disorders.

4. Improper Eating – if children are not eating the healthy meals you’ve prepared, there is a good chance they have been snacking on junk food during the day or after school.

5. Meal Skipping – this could lead to binging or digestive problems. It is important to discourage children from skipping a meal because it will not help them lose weight, but it could actually lead to weight gain.

6. Food Obsession – when your child starts to turn to food instead of friends and family for support or comfort, this can be an unhealthy association and lead to obesity, as well as other problems.

7. Continual Snacking – this is a bad habit that will follow children into adulthood. Have healthy snacks on hand for after-school treats. It will help alleviate hunger pangs, but offer nutritional value.

Short- and Long-Term Health Effects
Ultimately, being overweight as a child puts the child at increased risk for having problems, both in the short term and the long term, with the child’s physical, social and emotional well-being.

Physical complications include:
– Type 2 diabetes
– High blood pressure and high cholesterol
– Asthma and other breathing problems
– Sleep apnea, a condition in which your child may snore, have abnormal breathing, or stop breathing while asleep
– Early puberty or menstruation due to hormone imbalances of being overweight at an early age
– Gallstones
– Liver problems

Social and emotional complications include:
– Suffering from low self-esteem and bullying
– Behavior and learning problems
– Depression

What Are We doing?
The Report to the President is hopeful that we are prepared to fight this epidemic through knowledge of the causes and risk factors for obesity. In addition, the report outlines what we can do as a country, as individual communities and as families to stop the epidemic.

In February 2010, Michelle Obama launched her Let’s Move initiative to the nation. It is designed to get healthier foods in schools, give parents support to make healthier choices for their children, and get families to be active together. For more information on this program, go to www.letsmove.gov.

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation continues to make strides in changing the health habits of area residents. The Foundation funds programs and services through grants to area organizations and schools that focus on teaching children and their families to live healthier lives.

About the Series – Childhood Obesity
This four-part article series was developed by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes featuring local experts can be found on http://www.missionhealthyliving.org. The first article discusses how childhood obesity has become a national epidemic. The third article will discuss what schools are doing across the nation, the state of Pennsylvania and in Greater Pottstown to combat childhood obesity. The final article will focus on what parents and children can do to start to change their habits, lose weight and live healthier lives.

About the Foundation
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s new online community at www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life!