September Is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
About 1 in 5 children in the U.S. has obesity, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That means their Body Mass Index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and gender. (Click here to learn more about how obesity is measured in kids and teens.)
Children with obesity are at higher risk for having other chronic health conditions and diseases, such as asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have more risk factors for heart disease, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, than their normal-weight peers.
As a parent, caregiver or teacher, here are some ways you can help children make healthy choices:
- MyPlate Kids' Place provides healthy eating resources for parents and teachers, such as games, activity sheets, kid-friendly recipes and physical activity tips.
- Encourage lifelong healthy eating habits by making favorite dishes healthier, removing calorie-rich temptations and serving more fruit and vegetables at meals.
- Provide nutritious, lower-calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables for snacks, instead of foods high in added sugars and solid fats.
- Make sure drinking water is always available as a no-calorie alternative to sugary beverages and limit juice intake.
- Help kids stay active with 60+ minutes of physical activity most days of the week by playing with them and being active yourself. Find age-appropriate activities here.
- Reduce sedentary time by limiting TV, video games and using electronic devices to no more than 2 hours per day … and practice what you preach.
- Remember, you are a role model for kids. Eat healthy meals and snacks and get the right amount of physical activity every day.
Online Resources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Childhood Obesity Month
- Kaiser Permanente: What Families Can Do Together
- Providence: Help Your Child Find a Healthy Weight
- Regence: Unplug. And Connect Your Child to a Healthy Lifestyle
Online Video Library Helps You Choose Wisely
Benefits Enrollment is coming for all groups this fall. Be ready to make the best benefit choices for yourself and your family with these videos produced just for the Trust:
- Choose Your Health Plan: HMO, PPO or EPO? Which health plan is right for you and your family? Watch this video to obtain information on how to pick the best health plan.
- Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: View this video to see Trust benefits that protect you and your family financially if you die or are permanently injured.
- Deductible and Out-Of-Pocket Maximum (STAY TUNED…coming in late September): Find out what’s included and excluded … and how those totals add up.
You can always find videos, infographics and blog articles on the Trust website. Go to sdtrust.com, click MENU (upper right corner) then BLOG.