As we continue to celebrate National Nutrition Month, let's see, how the kids are doing?
According to a survey conducted by the U. S. D. A. in 1997, almost no American children (1%) meet all the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid! The number of overweight American children has more than doubled in the past decade from five to eleven percent. North Carolina youth are two to three times more likely to be obese than other kids in the nation. Only twenty percent of American children meet the goal of eating five fruit and/or vegetable servings per day. Almost one quarter of all vegetables consumed by children are french fries. Surveys show that nine out of ten teen girls and seven out of ten teen boys do not meet their daily calcium needs.
Almost thirty percent of children miss breakfast a couple of times a week. Seven percent of children do not eat anything in the morning. Only forty-three percent of families eat dinner together every night, even though seventy-three percent thing eating together is important.
Nearly half of young people (12-21 years) are not vigorously active on a regular basis. Participation in all physical activity declines as children get older. A North Carolina Children and Youth Fitness study showed that North Carolina youth are less flexible, have poorer cardiovascular fitness, and have a higher percentage of body fat than other youth nationally.
Wow! As parents and grandparents, looks like we have some work to do to help and encourage our children in a healthy lifestyle.
- Schedule meals and snacks. Avoid casual snacking that can lead to weight problems.
- Eliminate interference. Turn off the television during meals.
- Create a pleasant atmosphere for eating. Include everyone in the conversation.
- Sit down and eat with your children. You can't be a role model if you aren't there.
- Practice good table manners. Compliment children when they do it right, rather than nagging them about mistakes. Thank the cook(s) before being excused.
- Eat the same food the children eat, unless there is a reason why you can't. (Explain the reason to the children.)
- Prepare and serve a variety of foods that look and taste great.
- Be aware of portion sizes. Give children small portions and assure them they can have more if they want.
- Allow children to choose what and how much to eat from the variety of healthful foods you offer them.
- Place no special merit on the dessert. Dessert is not a reward for eating "what is good for you".
- Make fitness a part of everyday life. Wash the car, mow the lawn, walk the dog, walk to the store.
- Limit television and video/computer games. But, do allow time to explore a new computer program or finish a challenging game.
- Match your child to an appropriate sport. Not every child likes team sports. There's also dance, tennis, swimming, and bike riding.
