This document discusses childhood obesity rates in Canada. It notes that obesity rates have increased over decades as priorities for physical activity and healthy eating have decreased due to factors like increased commercialism targeting children. Other contributing factors discussed include breastfeeding rates, family influences, and the physical and mental impacts of obesity. The document then provides examples of how early childhood educators can help address childhood obesity through nutrition education, active play opportunities, role modeling, and family involvement. Stakeholders who could help include physical education teachers and organizations providing extracurricular programs.

1. Brittany Petraki
Danbi Lee
Hee Jae Lee
Kim Geekie
Michelle Carreiro
Paulin Blier
CHILD OBESITY

2. Why is it more of now than it was in the past?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
1979 2010 2040

3. Why is it more of now than it was in the past?
• Modeling
• Over decades/generations the rates of obesity have increased thereby influencing the lowered rates of
priority for physical activity, healthy eating habits, healthy eating habits and portion control.
• Commercialism
• In 1996 2 billion dollars toward marketing and advertising this was ten-fold in 2004 to 20 Billion
• More and more focus on the marketing of products to children
• Breast Feeding
• Breastfeeding for a minimum of 3 months has a strong preventative impact on children who possess the
FTO gene.
• Breastfeeding children stop when they’re full but we tend to encourage babies to finish a bottle without
thinking that the suggested amount may be more than the child’s fill.
• In 2009-2010 87.3% of Canadian women initiated breastfeeding but only 25.9% breastfed exclusively.
• “single women are at greater risk for for early breastfeeding cessation” (Brad, Kothari & Stark, 2011)
• Family
• “Although participating in organized sports or recreation programs increases physical activity, issues of
cost, accessibility and parental time commitment often reduce participation. Inactive role models and lower
parental education levels and SES may also affect pediatric PA negatively” (Lipnowski, LeBlanc; Canadian
Pediatric Society & Healthy Active Healing and Sports Medicine Committee, 2012)

4. Prevalence of Child Obesity
• Most prevalent amongst boys (age 5-11)
• Atlantic Provinces, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
• Dr. Karl Kabasele: processed foods creates an environment that is
easy for children to intake a lot of calories
• Statistics Canada: factors that influence children’s health
behaviours:
- Physical activity
- Eating habits
- Broader social, environmental and biological causes

5. Physical Impact
• The physical impact on childhood obesity can cause various chronic
diseases and reduce the quality of life expectancy
• The physical impact can cause cardiovascular disease
• hypertention
• Type 2 diabetes
• Chronic Stress
• Poor sleeping habits, which leads it fatigue.
• Sleep apnea
• Less Motivated to participate in physical activity.

6. The Mental Impact of Childhood Obesity
• Being bullied
• Being teased
• Depression
• Poor self-esteem, which leads to poor mental health later in life
• Mood and anxiety disorder
• A child who is stressed will often overeat; this is called “ emotional
eating” this type of eating is comfort to the child.

7. Frankland Community School
• Gym Teacher Mr. Sykes
• Large varieties of sizes
Of pinnies available that fit all
Children.
• Mr. Sykes hands out Pinnies to the children randomly
As this Eliminates the child who
Is obese being from being
Singled out in front of their peers.

8. Who is it at fault?
• Parents
- Busy schedules, Fast meals, TV is easy entertainment, Find time for
activities so there children stay active.
• Stationary Environment
- As young as 2, A lot more Video games, TV
shows, Computer’s, Children get hooked and they are more likely
to want to stay inside rather than go out and play
• Advertising
- Plays a major role, Just starting to figure out what’s good or what’s
bad for their bodies, at a young age they would probably choose the
unhealthy choice rather than the healthy this is where guidance
needs to come in, role model a healthy lifestyle for their children to
follow

9. When to promote?
• Hee Jae

10. How as ECE’s make a difference?
• How can we as ECEs make differences in childhood obesity in
Canada?
• We can produce written letters and/or posters that have
information of the dangerousness of the childhood obesity which
reinforce the necessity of healthy eating habits.
• We can create programs with more nutritious food for children and
teach them about Canada’s Food Guide.
• We can produce more fascinating physical activities like skipping
rope to the children’s favourite music.
• We can invite any sort of sport player/ trainers to encourage
children to exercise more interestingly.
• We should be aware of children’s attitudes and biases to
overweight/obese children.

11. Cont.
• We can teach how to eat properly during every lunch/snack times.
(i.g.) eat slowly, chew food, etc.
• We should have more knowledge about age-appropriate
physical/outdoor curriculum for children to produce more beneficial
time to prevent obesity.
• We can provide unique programs such as touring/visiting a sports
stadium in an effort to spark children’s interest in athleticism and
fitness.
• We can give children a chance to cook nutritious food for a healthy
diet.
• We can ask each parent/family what sort of food they usually
choose for their meals by questionnaire.
• We can try to get families involved in joining cooking programs
and/or age-appropriate active play after-school programs.
• We can have guest speakers such as personal
trainers, nutritionists, athletes …ect on an ongoing basis in our
programs for children and for giving information to families.

12. Stakeholders
• Mr. Sykes
• Physical Education Teacher of Frankland Community School.
• Good Life Kids Foundation – providing children the opportunity to
live a fit and healthy lifestyle
• Boys and Girls Club – organization that provides after-school
activities for children and youth

13. Action Plan
• Campaign