Childhood obesity is an increasing problem with serious health consequences. Since 1980 the incidence of obesity has doubled in the 6-11 year old age group and tripled in the adolescent age group. It is estimated that 1 in 3 children are overweight. The health consequences of childhood obesity are becoming more prevalent. Overweight children are at risk of heart disease caused by high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and bone and joint difficulties. Children who are overweight also may experience the psychosocial consequences of poor self esteem and social discrimination.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of weight in relation to height used to determine weight status. The BMI is plotted on the CDC growth charts to determine percentile. A child is considered overweight if the BMI is above 85% and below 95%. Obesity is a BMI over 95%. Ideally the BMI falls around 50%.

Choosing a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy eating habits and physical activity is critical to fighting childhood obesity. The 5210 Healthy NH program provides recommendations to improve physical activity and dietary habits. The recommendations include:

Eat 5 fruits and vegetables at least 5 times a day	Limit screen time to 2 hours or less per day
Participate in at least 1 hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day	Restrict soda and sugar-sweetened sports and fruit drinks, instead drink water and drink 3-4 cups skim or 1% milk per day

5210 Education Handouts:

3 Simple Steps to Eating Fruits & Veggies
5210 basic handout

5210 basic handout (half-page)
5210 basic handout (half-page, B&W)
Decrease screen time
Decrease screen time (B&W)
Encourage milk and water
Encourage milk and water (B&W)
Fruits and veggies-Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fruits and veggies-Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B&W)
Healthy Snacks
Healthy You (B&W)
More physical activity
More physical activity (B&W)
Non-food rewards for families
Nutritious Snacks for School
Recommendations for Parents
Tip Sheet - More Fruits & Veggies

Birthday parties and celebrations:
School Birthday Parties- SAMPLE Parent Letter
School Parties and Celebrations

Goal trackers:
Goal tracker- More Fruits & Veggies
Goal tracker- Decrease screentime
Goal tracker- Decrease screentime (B&W)
Goal tracker: less soda & sugar
Goal tracker: less soda & sugar (B&W
Goal tracker: More physical activity
Goal tracker: More physical activity (B&W)

Videos

• The Childhood Obesity Epidemic - This session of Public Health Grand Rounds focused on the contributing factors and consequences of childhood obesity. (June 2010)
• Battling the Childhood Obesity Epidemic - First Lady Michelle Obama takes part in a question-and-answer discussion about the Lets Move initiative and the fight against childhood obesity at the Newseum in Washington, DC. March 17, 2010.

Attachments:

Healthy Habits Survey	[ ]	10/13/2010
Print this article	[ ]	11/08/2010