Children's rates of obesity have been increasing in the last 20 years. After writing about the controversial add campaign targeted for obese children in Georgia “Stop Sugarcoating It, Georgia” in my last article I thought I would write about suggestions that institutions could make to help the problem.
So in this blog I want to talk about the role that our legislators are being asked to plan in combating childhood obesity. A few years ago a report titled F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009 was released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It discusses the state of obesity in the United States.
Even though this report was written two years ago it is still relevant to the issues of obesity and childhood obesity in 2012. The main message is that 23 states have increased the rates of obesity since last year and children’s obesity has risen to 30 percent across the country. These numbers are consistent with the trends over the past 20 years and the problem of obesity for children and adults is continuing to grow.
I think many doctors, legislators, and community organizers that are concerned about this issue of obesity overall and especially for our children. I think that it's important to have powerful leaders and legislation looking into ways to improve the health of our children.
The report suggested that institutions and municipalities take ownership of this issue and regulate it to reduce the rising rates of obesity for adults and children. In institutions such as schools they recommend schools provide healthy food and beverages for their children. Schools are also encouraged create more physical activities to happen with more frequency and intensity during the school day.
It recommended that municipalities looking at financial interventions to allow families access to healthy nutrient dense food to feed their children to in their communities.
They can also provide safe and health places to live, work, learn and play. Finally it recommends limiting screen time for children.
It is clear that public health agencies and legislators are starting to recognize that there are ways they can get involved with supporting healthier lifestyles.
Suggestions out of this report are already being implemented by organizations like the Alliance for A Healthier Generation and they are working. Each individual and family must be involved in their own health and weight management. However as institutions provide support it takes away the stigma and shame of obesity and begins to build bridges to how to impact childhood obesity especially for our kids.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
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Dr. Dae is a Naturopathic Physician who practices in the Washington DC metro area treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Sources:
" Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Combating Childhood Obesity by creating Healthy Schools, empowering youth leaders, healthcare, healthier school food and beverages." Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Combating Childhood Obesity by creating Healthy Schools, empowering youth leaders, healthcare, healthier school food and beverages. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://www.healthiergeneration.org
"F as in Fat 2009 - Trust for America's Health." Trust for America's Health - Preventing Epidemics. Protecting People. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009
Greenberg, Julia. "Controversial Anti-Obesity Ad Campaign in Ga. Calls Kids 'Fat' and 'Chubby' [VIDEOS]." International Business News, Financial News, Market News, Politics, Forex, Commodities - International Business Times - IBTimes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/279573/20120110/controversial-anti-obesi....
Reviewed January 19, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith