|
|||||||||||||
Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
New program pushes back in the battle of the bulge
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic.According to the Institute of Medicine, one-third of American children are either obese or at risk for obesity, and 61 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 10 who are overweight or obese have one or more factors for heart disease.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that unless lifestyle changes are made, one in three children who were born in 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes. A recent Time magazine article on childhood obesity pointed out that because of increased illness attributed to being overweight, the current generation of kids may be the first in American history to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.
In light of a growing body of evidence that points to significant health dangers for overweight children, Fauquier Hospital's LIFE Center is offering a new program geared toward educating both parents and children about healthy eating and exercise.
The four-week course combines two nationally-recognized programs, one that targets children, encouraging them to get active and eat well, and another that focuses on parents, offering tips on what they can do to help their children stay fit and healthy.
“It's better to take a dual approach and get everybody on the same page,” said program organizer and LIFE Center dietitian Aren Dodge. “We're trying to change their lifestyle so that they'll prefer healthier foods and get more involved in active play.”
That's a tall order, Dodge points out, noting that the abundance of fast-food opportunities and sedentary entertainment options make it easy for kids to sit around and eat junk.
Busy lifestyles make drive-thru dinners all too common for most Americans, and most kids are getting nowhere near enough exercise, said Dodge and LIFE Center Director LeAnn McCusker.
“They should get at least 30 minutes of active play a day,” McCusker said, adding that kids and parents should use their imaginations to find engaging and entertaining ways to get more active.
Exercise physiologist Sara Freeman will work with the children, implementing the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Program. While their parents learn simultaneously, but in a different room, children learn the basics of healthy eating ? including choosing healthy snacks ? as well as some simple and fun activities that encourage movement.
The activities will be fun and non-competitive, McCusker said, adding that Freeman will teach the kids exercises that they can do at home with no special equipment.
“There are a lot of programs out there for kids who are athletes, but there's not much for kids who are not into that. Those kids need to move too,” McCusker said. “The goal is to get them playing actively, to be healthy. Whether they lose two pounds or five or zero, they're going to get healthier and feel better.”
The program also encourages participants to reduce the amount of time they spend in front of the television and computer. “The average child watches four hours of television a day. It should be no more than two hours,” Dodge said.
Parents and kids alike will discuss nutrition, Dodge said. “We teach the kids that there are 'slow, go and woe' foods,” Dodge said, explaining that some foods may be eaten without limits, others can be eaten in moderation, and other should be eaten only occasionally.
“The best thing parents can do is set the example,” Dodge said. “You can't say eat your vegetables, and then Dad doesn't touch his broccoli.”
Doge will work with parents, using the We Can! (Ways to Enhance children's Activity and Nutrition) program. Developed by the National Institutes of Health, the program is designed to help parents guide their children on the road to healthy eating and activity.
There are shortcuts for time-strapped parents, Dodge said, pointing to the multitude of 100-calorie snack packs on the market, as well as prepackaged vegetables like baby carrots. “Do pretzels, not chips. Look for the the healthy alternatives,” she said.
The importance of eating whole grains and limiting sugar intake, for instance, will be discussed.
Parents will also learn about the health issues associated with being overweight, which include mental health problems like depression and low self-esteem. Tips for feeding picky eaters and getting reluctant kids to exercise will also be offered.
“We want to get the whole family involved,” McCusker said.
Classes will begin Aug. 6 and are set to run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday evening for four consecutive weeks. Enrollment for a family of four (two parents and two children) is $100, with a 20 percent discount offered for LIFE Center members. Spots are still available in this class. For more information, call (540) 316-2652.
You must be logged in to post a comment.