Medicare Agent News: Preventing childhood obesity

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Preventing childhood obesity

Four things families can do

If you're having trouble reading this message, click here

September Is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do

About 1 in 5 American children has obesity. Compared to children with healthy weight, children with overweight or obesity are at a higher risk for asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Though there is no one solution to addressing obesity, here are four ways parents and caregivers can help children have a healthy weight and set up lifelong healthy habits at home.

Model a healthy eating pattern with a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein foods, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products. Replace sugary drinks, such as soda, fruit drinks, and flavored milk, with water, 100% juice, or plain low-fat milk.

Family walking

Move more as a family. Walk the family pet before and after school, ride bikes together, or have races in the yard. Active chores, such as washing the car, vacuuming a room, or raking leaves, also count.

Set consistent sleep routines. Good sleep helps prevent type 2 diabetes, obesity, injuries, and problems with attention and behavior. Preschoolers need 11–13 hours of sleep per day, including naps. Children 6–12 years old need 9–12 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night, and youth 13–18 need 8–10 hours.

Replace screen time with family time. In young people, too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health. Reducing screen time can free up time for family activities and can remove cues to eat unhealthy food.