What You Need to Know:
Childhood obesity is escalating at an alarming rate. In an effort to combat this growing epidemic, we have teamed up to create this guide emphasizing the importance of fitness and nutrition. Obesity is a condition of excess fatness that results from an imbalance between energy consumed and energy expended. In short, this means that the human body takes in more calories than it uses for energy.
Did You Know?
- A study conducted in 2004 found that 40% of 6th grade students were classified as obese.
- Children who are overweight or obese at a young age are more likely to develop serious health issues such as asthma and diabetes.
- These issues can lead to social, academic, and emotional deficiencies, which can result in bullying.
- To combat this issue, the Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Core Curriculum Content Standards were adopted by schools across the board in 2004 and continue to dictate standards today.
To reduce or even eliminate this risk it is important to form healthy eating and exercising habits at an early age.
Tips for Staying Healthy:
- Don't focus solely on your weight: often too much emphasis is put on how much a person weighs, as opposed to feeling healthy and eating right.
- Set realisitic goals: not everyone is meant to look like a model.
- Scientists says that an optimal diet for everyone is one that is low in fat and high in complex carbohydrate and fiber. For more information on what your diet should consist of, consult www.mypyramid.gov.
- To help adopt healthy eating habits, try this shopping list next time you're food shopping: Grocery Guide.
- Having a variety of exercise options helps keep working-out fresh. Here are guides to all types of exercise: Fitness Guide, Exercise Guide.
Resources for Help and Guidance:
- Take Off Pounds Sensbily (TOPS)- (800) 932-8677 or TOPS
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- www.fda.gov
Created on September 20, 2007
Last Updated: September 24, 2007
