Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, obesity affected 19.3% of children ages 2 to 19 years. Since then, the rate of body mass index in children has nearly doubled, according to the CDC.

“Childhood obesity can make a child more susceptible to developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke in the future,” explains Tanisha Gonzalez, Registered Dietitian at Neighborhood Health Center. “Factors such as genetics, hormones and lifestyle can contribute to childhood obesity.” 

These factors can include:

• A child having reduced opportunities to engage in physical activities
• Diets high in calorie dense/processed foods
• Lack of access to foods/food insecurity
• Socioeconomic status

Here are some tips to help get your child back on track:

• Follow my plate method: Half plate fruit and veggies, a quarter plate grains/whole grains, and a quarter plate protein.
• Nutrient dense snacks: Plan and portion snacks in advance. 2-3 snacks, one to two hours prior or post meals should be sufficient for children. Focus on the food groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Snacking is a way to get some fruits and veggies in.
  • Try different types of proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, lentils.
• Drink more water: Limit sugary beverages such as sodas and juices.
• Get your children involved in the kitchen: Go grocery shopping with them and prepare meals together. Cook and eat as a family.
• Get active: Encourage your children to get at least one hour of physical activity that they enjoy doing every day while outdoors or indoors.
• Lead by example: You are a role model. Your own healthy habits can encourage children.

For additional assistance, the Neighborhood wellness team is here for you. Visit the patient portal at nhcwny.org to request and appointment or call 716-875-2904.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html#Prevalence

https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/kids

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ways-to-encourage-overweight-children-to-make-healthy-changes/

https://www.eatrightpro.org/-/media/feature/eatright/campaign/nnm-2022/tip_sheets/smart-snacking-tips-for-kids_nnm22_english.pdf?la=en&hash=BFD55D08BD9B72780C5CDD5479FA2B77FB6FD735