Are We Getting Fitter or Fatter?

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on health, fitness, and weight loss products. But is it working? Are we getting fitter or fatter?

Recent government statistics show obesity is on the rise in this country. As a nation, we are not getting fitter, we are getting FATTER! Over one-third of U.S. adults (that’s 35.7%) are considered obese. It’s no surprise then, that our nation’s youth are also at risk.  An estimated 17% (or 12.5 million) of youngsters aged 2—19 years are obese. ¹

Obese children are at greater risk for lifelong health problems. Among these problems are diabetes and heart disease.

Findings show racial and ethnic differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. children and adolescents. Hispanic boys, aged 2 to 19 years, were shown to be much more at risk than non-Hispanic white boys. Non-Hispanic black girls were more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white girls. ²

So, how do parents help children, and the entire family, eat healthier, both at home and away-from-home?

“Talk to your pediatrician, family doctor or registered dietitian,” suggests Jenifer Bland-Campbell. Ask these experts to help you “determine the healthiest weight goals for the entire family,” she says. “Then make a plan to tackle the issue.”

As a registered dietician, Ms. Bland-Campbell knows a thing or two about nutrition. She offers these tips for parents to help their families eat more healthfully:

 10 Tips from a Dietitian

1. Eat at least one meal together daily, at regular intervals to discourage snacking.

2. Prepare healthy dishes for the whole family, not just special foods for an overweight child.

3. Don’t use food as a reward, comfort or punishment.

4. Watch portion sizes. The “Clean your plate” practice is not always the way to go.

5. Eat slowly. It takes almost 20 minutes for the brain to register that the body is full.

6. Encourage water or skim or 1% milk instead of high-calorie, sugary drinks.

7. Getting kids to eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits each day will not be easy. So, try to focus on the colors to make it more fun.

8. Replace mayonnaise and cheese on burgers or sandwiches with catsup, mustard or barbecue sauce.

9. Use low-fat or fat-free dressings, mayonnaise and dairy items instead of the full-fat versions.

10. Do the same when dining out. Ask for the same low-fat items (dressings, mayonnaise and dairy) on the side when eating away-from-home. If they are on-the-side, you can control portion sizes easier.

Our role as parents is to provide healthy cues for kids. In that way, we can help reduce their risk of obesity now and well into adulthood.

“Parents can help children reach wellness goals by first making healthy changes at home, then teaching kids what to do away from home,” suggests Bland-Campbell.

 References:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html

2. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html