Childhood Obesity Awareness Month - September

How many of you knew September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month?  Well, I did not until I came across it when researching another topic for my early childhood education courses. Therefore, the blog is late, but this is an issue that needs to be discussed 365 days.

What is Obesity?  According to Wikipedia, obesity is defined as “a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health”.

The State of Obesity documented since 2012 pediatric obesity has been on the rise for North Carolina children between the ages of 2 to 18.  Data showed 15 percent of 2 to 4-year-olds are obese.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated one in six children across the United States are obese with Hispanic and African Americans having higher rates compared to the groups.  These children are at early risks for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, psychological problems, bullying and even stroke.  With attention being given to National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and these recorded statistics let’s move toward eating more balanced meals and snacks, engaging in physical activities more regularly and talking with people for commitments to building awareness toward reducing or eliminating childhood obesity.  From financial implications of childhood obesity health issues with awareness and lifestyle changes will save money to prolong their lives toward becoming productive citizens into adulthood.

What can Early Childhood Educators do?  Below is a list of ideas that Early Childhood Educators can do for children, parents/family members, and working collaborative with community members.

1.     Talk with children during circle time using props and plan culturally developmentally age appropriate center related activities on healthy and unhealthy foods.

2.     Prepare healthy snacks through creating food charts for children to make their own snacks, talk about taste and so forth.

3.     Plan and implement physical activities that relate to lesson plan themes or projects.

4.     As part of parents and/or family members car/home chats challenge child with parents/family members to record number and names of healthy foods eaten.  When child comes back to school graph the foods along with category as vegetables or fruits.  Discuss.

5.     Parents/family members continue the car/home chats with different physical activities engaged in throughout the day.  When child comes back to school teacher can record on board and discuss importance to physically moving.  Also, suggest to parents/family members they can take walks around their neighbor to count the number of trees, cars, buildings and so forth.  When child comes back to school graph with class reinforce most and less viewed on walk.  Also, family can go to local parks, swimming pool, bowling, skating, jumping rope and engage in many other fun physical activities.

6.     Invite family consumer educator/nutritionist to facilitate parents/family members group on finance budget, purchase healthy foods and meal preparation.

7.     Invite pediatrician to facilitate parent/family members group on what is overweight/obesity, body mass index (BMI) and health issues in general for children.

8.     Invite dentist to facilitate parent/family members group on what is healthy dental care for children.

9.     Invite mental health consultant to talk with early childhood educators and paraprofessionals to discuss effects of childhood obesity, bullying and other emotional social behaviors of children with strategies/techniques can incorporate at the school.

10.                        Plant class/school garden with the children.  Discuss fruits and vegetables planted and have tasting party once harvest.  Also, chart growth along with allowing children to guess height and how taste.

11.                        Fieldtrips to local farmer markets or grocery stores.  Have the produce manager talk with the children and taste different fruits/vegetables, if possible.  NOTE:  If your program does not allow fieldtrips contact local farmers and invite them to come to the classroom and talk with the children, sharing produces grown and have a taste party.

12.                        Contact local children’s librarian to see if s/he can come to class, read and act out storyline on healthy foods and/or on physical activities to move.  Also, have an activity to follow-up from story content for children to do once librarian has left.  One book that would be good for follow-up is Stone Soup.

Therefore, I challenge everyone particularly African American and Hispanic families to make needed lifestyle changes so children will have healthier happy lives.  Yes, remember the Let’s Move campaign led by Michelle Obama that was aimed at reducing childhood obesity and encouraged a healthy lifestyle in children.  Childhood obesity will not win our children because they are more important to us.