National Childhood Obesity Month

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. 1 in 6 children in the United States are obese – that is 17 percent! Children who are obese are more likely to develop chronic medical conditions such as asthma, Type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and even heart disease. Obesity can also affect mental health through poor self-esteem, social isolation, and depression. Staying at a healthy weight can be hard, but there are simple things we can all do to support children and promote good health.

Check out these great ways to be healthy:

• Go to a local park this weekend – picnic, play active games, go on a walk, or ride bikes
• Skip the chips and grab crunchy carrots or an apple for a snack
• Rake the leaves in the yard and jump into the pile of leaves – make it FUN!
• Eat more vegetables – try a veggie omelet this weekend, lettuce on a sandwich, or green beans with dinner
• Drink water at home and out at a restaurant- it’s FREE!
• Set a bedtime and stick to it – aim for 8-9 hours of sleep a night

And don’t forget – be a role model! Children learn from watching others, not just their parents. Stay healthy and visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Choose MyPlate webpages for more information.