Fight childhood obesity with early, healthy habits

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and the Ross County Health District’s Help Me Grow and WIC programs would like to remind Ross County’s citizens that healthy eating and physical activity can help our youth fight a lifetime of unhealthy weight.

Children who are overweight or obese are likely to grow into overweight adults, with an increased risk of developing related health problems.

But parents can be proactive and help their children maintain a healthy weight by helping them develop healthy habits that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.

Start by encouraging your kids to follow your example and enjoy outdoor activities that will challenge them physically, such as biking, walking, hiking, swimming, and a variety of sports. It is recommended that children ages 6-17 years get about one hour of exercise a day.

Likewise, limit screen time — time spent in front of the television or the computer playing video games. Television and video games are fine in small doses, but parents should establish limits.

For more on physical activity recommendations visit www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics.

Finally, a healthy diet is critical to maintaining a healthy weight. Junk foods, fast foods, and soda pop are fueling our obesity epidemic. In Ross County more than one-in-three children are overweight or obese. Children need more fruits and more vegetables on their plates. They need to understand and follow correct portion sizes. Start their healthy eating habits early and they’ll continue as they grow older.

Learn more about your child’s diet by visiting www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children.

Kasey Frey

Help Me Grow Coordinator, Ross County Health District

Sharon Rickey

Ross/Pickaway WIC Coordinator, Ross County Health District