According to the document, childhood obesity has tripled since 1963 with nearly 1 in 3 children now considered overweight or obese. There are severe health issues associated with obesity like high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Psychologically, obese children are more prone to negative self-image and depression. The target audience is all parents as they are the primary influence on children's diets and obesity affects children of all ages and races.

1. Jordan, Cailee, Alexa, Kate, Tiffany

2. Childhood Obesity
According to the American Health Association,
nearly one in every three children are
considered overweight or obese, tripling the rate
from children and teens in 1963.
There are severe health problems such as high
cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
Psychologically, these children are more prone to
negative self image and depression.

3. Audience
- Parents (wide-range)
- Parents are the primary factors in shaping children’s diets
- All parents because obesity is prevalent in all ages and races etc.
- Our hope is that educating the parents will help shape the
children’s diets when they are old enough to make their
own decisions regarding food

4. Major Factors
Obesity is a serious concern because it is associated with poorer mental health, reduced
quality of life, and the leading causes of death in the U.S. including, diabetes, heart
disease, and stroke
Causes
- Genetics & Family History
- Physical activity
- Poor diet
- Daily behaviors
- Socioeconomic status
Consequences

5. What Parents Need to DO...
There are many ways to encourage healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle in
order to avoid obesity.
1. Encourage drinking lots of water throughout the day
2. Serving reasonable serving sizes for meals
3. Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and healthier alternative to the easy
snacks and meals that may not be as healthy (ex: apple vs. a bag of chips)
4. Encourage children to be active
1. Increase time playing over time in front of the television
2. “Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate
intensity physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily”-American

6. Next steps for research and practice
More psychological/developmental research on children and creating habits,
forming specific preferences for healthier food
Increased accessibility to healthier food/options for all families
Making the community aware and active in the healthy living lifestyles. Making
healthy food options in school, allowing moments of activity throughout the
day.
Farmers markets allow for healthy fresh options that are locally grown
Make free drinking water available to students, and limit the sale of drinks
with added sugars in school
Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity

7. List of resources
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/Healt
hyKids/ChildhoodObesity/What-is-childhood-
obesity_UCM_304347_Article.jsp#.WKyxLSMrJ68
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2015/059.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/causes.html
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-
room/Pages/Parents-TV-Viewing-Habits-Influence-Kids-
Screen-Time.aspx