Preventing childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a major public health concern in the United States. It not only affects the well-
Visit the websites for the following childhood obesity prevention programs and initiatives. For each, describe the founding organization or initiative and the overall mission and scope.
Let’s Move!—www.letsmove.gov
Alliance for a Healthier Generation—
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—
More info at: CDC Childhood Obesity Strategies and Solutions—
Imagine yourself in each of the following scenarios. From your review of the childhood obesity prevention programs, along with your own ideas, what are two to three specific strategies that these individuals might put into practice to promote healthy eating and exercise habits in children?
Parent of an overweight child
Middle-
Elementary school physical education teacher
Owner of a convenience store in an urban neighborhood
Registered dietitian hired as a consultant by a restaurant chain
Vice president of marketing for a supermarket corporation
City planner
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Sound nutritional guidance for children encompasses four primary objectives, which include promoting optimal physical and cognitive development, a healthy body weight, enjoyment of food, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
Children grow and develop at varying rates throughout childhood and adolescence.
Growth standards for children and adolescents aged 2 to 20 years are based on BMI-
Puberty represents a dynamic period of development with periodic growth spurts that result in changes in height, weight, body composition, nutritional requirements, and sex-
Nutrition surveys and studies suggest that, overall, U.S. children are consuming more energy-
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. Each school day, it provides children with low-
Children have specific nutrient requirements set through the Dietary Reference Intakes and Accepted Macronutrient Distribution Ranges, as well as recommendations for food choice through the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate.
Children of all ages need adequate amounts of all essential nutrients obtained through a varied and balanced diet to support optimal physical and cognitive development.
Parents influence children’s dietary practices in many ways. They establish the eating environment and model health behaviors and attitudes for their children.
Several nutrients have been identified that are consumed in amounts low enough to be of concern among all or subgroups of children. These include calcium, iron, fiber, and vitamin D.
Childhood obesity can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways, such as increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood.
National, state, and private programs are actively engaged in efforts to reduce and prevent the prevalence of childhood obesity through education, community-
Food allergies are reproducible, adverse reactions to a food that are caused by a type of immune reaction to an allergen in food and they can be immediately life-
Food intolerances are reproducible, adverse reactions to a food that are not a direct result of an immune response. Food intolerances can produce reactions similar to food allergies, but are not life-
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Review Questions
1. School-
experience the greatest increases in height and weight during childhood and adolescence.
grow at a steady pace with occasional growth spurts.
are all quite similar in height and body weight.
would be considered at risk of obesity with a BMI-
have the same nutritional requirements as adolescents.
1. b
2. Studies suggest that children who consume the most total energy, saturated fat, and sodium:
determine their own serving sizes by serving themselves.
eat most of their meals with their family.
eat most of their meals at home.
eat most of their meals away from home.
watch the least amount of television.
2. d
3. All of the following reflect updates in the National School Lunch Program, EXCEPT:
emphasis on whole grains over refined grains.
increased offerings of vegetables and fruits.
reduced saturated and trans fat.
restriction of total fat to less than 20% of total calories.
reduced sodium content.
3. d
4. The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range for dietary fat for children aged 1 to 3 years is of total calories.
20% to 35%
20% to 40%
25% to 40%
30% to 40%
35% to 50%
4. d
5. http:/
5 teaspoons.
5 tablespoons.
1⁄4 cup.
1⁄2 cup.
5. b
6. To encourage healthy eating habits in children, which of the following strategies is NOT recommended for parents or caregivers?
Deny dessert or special treats if a child does not eat all foods offered at a meal.
Repeatedly offer foods even if the child does not initially accept or try a food.
Involve children in shopping for and preparing food.
Model positive food choices and attitude toward nutrition.
Determine which foods are offered and when they are offered.
6. a
7. All of the following are true in regards to food jags, EXCEPT that they:
are generally outgrown.
require immediate parental intervention to stop these behaviors.
considered developmentally normal.
can represent a child seeking more independence and control.
are habits, rituals, or particular ways of eating.
7. b
8. All of the following have been identified as potential nutrients of concern during childhood, EXCEPT:
calcium.
dietary fiber.
iron.
omega-
vitamin D.
8. d
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9. To help reduce risk of obesity, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that “screen time,” whether watching television, playing electronic games, or using the computer, should be:
allowed only on the weekends.
minimized to no more than three hours per week.
restricted to less than one hour a day.
limited to one to two hours a day.
limited to three to four hours a day.
9. d
10. Food intolerances are reproducible, adverse reactions to food that:
are life-
involve the immune system.
do not involve the immune system.
are the same as food allergies.
10. c
11. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics provides tips to help families avoid foods that elicit allergic reactions, including:
read food labels and ingredient listings carefully.
educate family members, caregivers, and teachers about food allergies and allergens.
teach children about their allergies at a young age.
consult a registered dietitian nutritionist to develop a healthy eating plan that avoids allergens.
All of the answers are correct.
11. e
Healthy eating habits for children and teens
Log onto the United States Department of Agriculture website at www.choosemyplate.gov. At the top of the page click on “Audience” and then “Children,” and then “Preschoolers.”
1. Click on "Daily Food Plan" in the left hand navigation bar. Select the 1000 calorie food plan.
2. Click on the “Cope with a Picky Eater Picky Eating” link. Identify two ways that parents can encourage picky eaters to try new foods.
3. Return to the main page and click on the “Kids” link. Next, open the link for “Parents & Educators” and select “The School Day Just Got Healthier” link. Identify three changes that have been initiated in the school lunch program to make the meals healthier. Do you think these changes will encourage healthier eating habits in children? Explain your answer.
4. Next, click on the “Cut Back on Your Kid’s Sweet Treats” link. Choose two tips that you feel are relevant to the adolescent. Discuss how these tips can be useful to this age group.
5. Now, go back main page and click on “Interactive Tools” and “Daily Food Plans” and open the plan for 2,000 calories for 18+ year olds. Looking at the recommendations, do you believe most 18-year-olds consume a diet similar to the recommendations? Explain your answer.