Food of Politics

1. Childhood
Obesity, How
Can Parents
Help?
K ENIA C H AV EZ

2. What Is
Childhood
Obesity?
"Overweight and obesity are defined as
''abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that
presents a risk to health''. (WHO,2017)

3. Issue
❑ It has become evident that childhood obesity is increasing in the United
States. As the number on the scale increases the risk of children suffering
from other underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high
cholesterol which can lead to cardiovascular diseases.
❑ Parents should take action in helping their children in making healthier food
choices. If children become exposed to healthier eating habits, and healthier
alternatives they are more likely to indulge in healthier foods than to eat junk
food.
❑Although there are many factors that can contribute to a child's unhealthy
diet, there are a wide range of alternatives that are affordable and easy to help
children live a healthier lifestyle.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.

4. "Addressing childhood obesity is absolutely like playing wack-a-mole.There are so many pieces to this,
so many factors that are cultural,environmental, political,and systemic."(Huffpost,2019)

5. The U.S Department of Agriculture
work together with schools in providing
nutritious meals to children where
school maybe the only place where
they can have a variety of different
healthy foods at a low cost or no cost.(
USDA,2019)
" The US is expected to have 17
million obese children by 2030, the
largest number after China and
India."( CNN,2019)

6. Why Has Childhood Obesity
Increased?
❖Some reasonsas to why childhoodobesity is increasingis :
▪ Children are eating high-calorie foods
▪ Not getting enough physical activity
▪ Influenced by advertisements
▪ Influenced by family or friends
▪ If child is getting bullied
▪ Parents are too busy to prepare freshfood so invest in pre-made meals
▪ Unable to afford healthy food options
▪ Location– Some families live closerto a convenient store where freshfood options
aren't served-easier access to unhealthy food options
▪ Food portions are bigger

7. At High Risk
Children
❖Children from a low socioeconomic families
❖ Black and Hispanic youth
❖ Children that come from a overweight family
❖Children who live in a poor neighborhood where resources are limited
❖ Children whose parents don't set rules or motivate for change
❖ Children who have easy access to convenient stores
❖ Children who live in a stress environment ( At home, school)
❖ Children who have a medical condition

8. What
Actions
Can
Parents
Take?
Buy healthierfood options- More Veggies,less junk food
Explore different vegetables and fruitsand let children
choose theirfavorite
Less goingout and more at home prepped meals
Set rules
Join in outdoor activities
Moderate food portions
(CDC,2020)

9. Improving
Children's Diet
❑Reduces the risk of children developing diabetes, high
blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases in the future
❑Parents would help children not feel left out when it
comes to physical activity at school
❑Parents would help child develop a healthy relationship
with food
❑Parents would help get their children get involved
in healthy activities
❑Parents would help their child make healthier decisions
and be able to explore variety of different, healthy foods

10. References
Childhood overweight and obesity. (2017, October 13). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/en/
Hunt, K. (2019, October 3). The world will have more than 250 million obese kids by 2030, a new report warns. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/health/childhood-
obesity-intl-scli/index.html
Klass, P. (2019, August 26). Helping Children Learn to Eat Well. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/26/well/family/helping-children-learn-to-eat-well.html
Millard, E. (2019, September 13). This Is Why The U.S. Is Failing To Tackle Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/america-childhood-obesity-
failing_n_5d7a8b6ce4b0e4c1226ea231
More than half of U.S. kids will be obese by the time they're 35, study predicts. (2017, November 30). Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-childhood-
obesity-future-20171130-story.html
National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/nslp-fact-sheet
Tips for Parents–Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight. (2020, February 4). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html
5 Ways Parents Can Ensure Kids Eat Well in 2020 and Beyond. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/food-for-kids-heres-how-parents-can-ensure-
children-eat-well