Childhood Obesity Awareness Month: Take action

While childhood obesity rates are starting to level off for children and adolescents ages 2 to 19, obesity still remains high at approximately 17 percent for this age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Childhood obesity increases the risk for health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which were all once thought of as diseases that affected only adults. It may not be an easy fight, but childhood obesity can be prevented with prevailing collaborative efforts.

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, making now an opportune time to take action. Mayor Steve Widmyer, City of Coeur d'Alene, with approval from the City Council, recently took action and adopted the Let's Move! initiative to combat childhood obesity in our community. The City of Coeur d'Alene became the 10th Let's Move! city in Idaho. By adopting this initiative, Mayor Widmyer committed to five goals that will help improve nutrition and physical activity habits in our youth and community. To learn more about Let's Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties and the five goals, visit www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org. Lead partners include the City of Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Department and Panhandle Health District. Efforts are currently underway to recruit additional community partners that can help make a positive impact on the health behaviors of children.

Early this fall, Panhandle Health District is partnering with IdahoSTARS to offer a free Let's Move! Child Care Workshop to educate child care providers about best practices for nutrition, physical activity, and reducing screen time while caring for children. In addition to increased knowledge, child care providers will walk away with numerous resources they can access, including the opportunity to be trained by Panhandle Health District in the Color Me Healthy curriculum, which targets preschoolers and focuses on moving more and healthy eating. Color Me Healthy is offered in partnership with the Panhandle Leadership Council of the Idaho Community Foundation. If you are a child care provider and would like more information on the Let's Move! Child Care Workshop or the Color Me Healthy curriculum, please contact me at (208) 415-5141 and Lisa Gardom at (208) 415-5242, respectively.

You don't have to be working in the health field to help employ healthy habits in our children. We, as adults, serve as role models for our youth. If we engage in healthy eating and active living, children will follow. Tips for healthy living:

* Keep fruits and vegetables within reach.

* Go for a walk or bike ride after dinner as a family.

* Reduce screen time (TV, computer, tablet, or smart phone) and replace with a family activity.

* Explore healthy recipes and cook as a family. There are many sources out there, such as www.chooseMyPlate.gov and www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

Last but not least, spread the word to other families and organizations about National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Together we can raise awareness and take steps toward healthier generations.

Kimberly Young, MS, RDN, LD, is a Registered Dietitian at Panhandle Health District and a graduate of the University of Idaho Dietetic program.