You Ask. We Answer: Fighting Childhood Obesity
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:33 am by Matt Mauro under Morning Show
You Ask: What can be done to fight childhood obesity?
We Answer: Experts say parents have to start early and make exercise a family activity.
More than a third of high school students in New Mexico are obese and it’s a similar story with younger students. To fight that, the YMCA of Central New Mexico is getting kids as young as nine into the gym, teaching them to workout safely and hoping to create healthy habits that’ll last a lifetime.
Traditionally, kids weren’t allowed in gyms and were told not to lift weights. But the Y’s Health and Wellness Director, Carrie Ann Drinville says the obesity epidemic is such a problem that experts have to start fighting it earlier than ever. So she’s getting kids to work out safely with their families – this way they start exercising when they’re young and enjoy it. She says that’s much better than forcing it on older children who are already overweight and may be struggling with the physical and mental problems that often come with obesity. Plus, she says this is another way parents can spend time with their children.
To find out more about fighting childhood obesity, go to the CDC.
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What is APS doing to fight childhood obesity? APS, as required by the State of New Mexico, is currently providing breakfast that must be served in the classrooms. The breakfast that is being served is some of the most unhealthy breakfasts. The sugar content in the majority of breakfasts served is skyrocketing. A ‘Double Chocolate Chip’ muffin for breakfast with a string cheese, a chocolate milk, and a fruit punch juice box? How are we promoting healthy eating choices??? The schools are required to provide choices. The choices come from a required milk product, a fruit product, a protein and a grain. The protein and grain can be offered separately or together. The fruit product is offered a juice, which comes in a box labeled 10% juice – NEVER AS FRESH FRUIT. The protein many times is offered as an egg dish (omelet with sausage and cheese; breakfast burrito with egg and cheese; occasionally yogurt, many times string cheese). These options are too bad – except the fat content (that is never communicated to families – as they aren’t listed on the website of what’s actually being served to their students.) Why can’t we offer our students fresh fruit instead of juice? Why can’t we offer plain milk and cereal instead of chocolate milk and mini apple pies? Why can’t we truly teach our children healthy eating options, instead of offering more junk food? This doesn’t even touch base with children who are eating a full breakfast at home and then choosing to eat again at school. I am in full support of ensuring that the students of Albuquerque have enough to eat – but with the continuous and growing problem of childhood obesity, can’t we find a better, more healthy option for them?
Obesity in childrens is becoming serious over the time as many of child’s are having obesity which is result of their bad eating habits. Healthy food practices is a way to avoid this and sending child’s to a weight loss camp will be a great way to help them out fighting obesity and make sure their healthy future.