• 1 in 3 kids, or 23 MILLION, are obese or overweight, TRIPLE the amount of 30 years ago!
• 43% of public elementary school students are obese or overweight.
• More than 39% of Hispanic and black youth are overweight or obese compared to 28% of white youth
• 1/3 of all boys and 2/5 of all girls born in 2000 or after will suffer from type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives.
• About 85% of obese children continue to be classified as obese for the rest of their lives.
• Experts warn that excess weight could reduce average life expectancy by five years or more over the next several decades.
• The health risks associated with childhood obesity are increased in minority and low-income populations.

You can make better food choices by adding in real, nutrient dense food and cutting back on processed foods and empty calories.

Nutrient Dense Food – Nutrient-dense foods have a lot more nutrients, vitamins and minerals in relation to their calories. These nutrients are what fuel our bodies and sustain and improve our health. Some examples are: fruits and vegetables, lean meats and many whole grains.

Processed Food – Food processing is any deliberate change in a food that happens before it’s available for us to eat. Processed foods are usually packaged in boxes, cans or bags and often contain additives, artificial flavorings and colorings and other chemical ingredients. The longer the ingredient list and the more ingredients that you don’t recognize, the more processed a food is likely to be. Ex., chicken nuggets, white rice, soda, sports drinks, white bread, potato chips, deli meats, sugary cereals, fast-food.

Empty Calorie – Foods with empty calories have lots of calories but very few nutrients like vitamins and minerals. “Convenience foods,” like packaged snacks, chips, sodas, cookies, pastries, donuts, energy/sports drinks, fruit juices, sausage, hot dogs, ribs and bacon are common sources of empty calories.

When it comes to health and weight, lifestyle habits include, what you eat and drink, how much you eat and drink, your daily activity level, and how you use your “downtime.” 

To improve you lifestyle habits, start by adding in real, healthy foods and cutting back on processed foods. You should also increase your physical activity level each day and reduce sedentary behaviors, like screen time.

Moderate activity is when you’re working hard enough to noticeably raise your heart rate and break into a sweat, and you are able to talk but unable to sing.

Vigorous activity is where you’re breathing rapidly and your heart rate has increased significantly. Talking is difficult if you are working at this level.

It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous active each day.