Child Obesity – Decreasing Child Obesity – Decreasing the Problem in Lubbock the Problem in Lubbock

Independent School DistrictIndependent School District

Gretchen WarsingGretchen WarsingKristen MartinKristen Martin

Christopher CoronaChristopher CoronaAlicia Saba Alicia Saba

Learning Objectives Learning Objectives

Educate the audience on child obesityEducate the audience on child obesity

Present healthier meal option planPresent healthier meal option plan

Present solutions on how to counteract the Present solutions on how to counteract the obesity epidemic obesity epidemic

Prevalence of overweight among Prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents ages 6-children and adolescents ages 6-

19 years19 years

Causes of Childhood ObesityCauses of Childhood Obesity

Bad Eating HabitsBad Eating Habits– Fast FoodFast Food– Limited Meal Choices in Cafeterias Limited Meal Choices in Cafeterias

Lack of Physical ActivityLack of Physical Activity– Too Much Digital MediaToo Much Digital Media

Environment Environment – Busy Lifestyles of ParentsBusy Lifestyles of Parents– Less Supervision Less Supervision – Socioeconomic HardshipsSocioeconomic Hardships

Problems within Lubbock Problems within Lubbock Independent School DistrictIndependent School District

The cafeteria is serving unhealthy food on a The cafeteria is serving unhealthy food on a daily basis. daily basis. Instead of sides that are high in fat, a good Instead of sides that are high in fat, a good substitute is fresh vegetables. substitute is fresh vegetables. Deserts high in fat and sugar are served daily. Deserts high in fat and sugar are served daily. Fruit is a better substitute for the deserts that are Fruit is a better substitute for the deserts that are served. served. The current main dishes should be replaced by The current main dishes should be replaced by healthier alternatives. healthier alternatives. There are few vegetarian main courses offered.There are few vegetarian main courses offered.

SolutionsSolutions

Educating ParentsEducating Parents

Healthier Meal OptionsHealthier Meal Options

Choice of food in Vending MachineChoice of food in Vending Machine

Educating ParentsEducating ParentsParents are one of the most critical links in providing the Parents are one of the most critical links in providing the foundation for children’s eating habits foundation for children’s eating habits Educate parents by getting them involved with their child Educate parents by getting them involved with their child and providing them with tips on childhood obesity and providing them with tips on childhood obesity preventionpreventionSome of the tips:Some of the tips:– Make time for the entire family to participate in regular physical Make time for the entire family to participate in regular physical

activities that everyone enjoys. Try walking, bicycling or activities that everyone enjoys. Try walking, bicycling or rollerblading.rollerblading.

– Assign active chores to every family member such as Assign active chores to every family member such as vacuuming, washing that car or mowing the lawn. Rotate the vacuuming, washing that car or mowing the lawn. Rotate the schedule of chores to avoid boredom from routine.schedule of chores to avoid boredom from routine.

– Enroll your child in a structured activity that he or she enjoys, Enroll your child in a structured activity that he or she enjoys, such as tennis, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.such as tennis, gymnastics, martial arts, etc.

– Instill an interest in your child to try a new sport by joining a team Instill an interest in your child to try a new sport by joining a team at school or in your community.at school or in your community.

– Limit the amount of digital media.Limit the amount of digital media.

Healthier Meal OptionsHealthier Meal Options

Healthier breakfast and lunch options Healthier breakfast and lunch options are paramount in counteracting the child are paramount in counteracting the child obesity epidemic within the Lubbock obesity epidemic within the Lubbock Independent School District Independent School District Cutting foods high in fat, sugar and salt Cutting foods high in fat, sugar and salt from school menus today is a stepping from school menus today is a stepping stone for healthier children for tomorrowstone for healthier children for tomorrowChildren will adapt to the healthier food Children will adapt to the healthier food optionsoptionsConsistency and patience will eventually Consistency and patience will eventually undo the child obesity epidemic that undo the child obesity epidemic that took us 20 years to get to. took us 20 years to get to.

Vending MachinesVending MachinesSnacks are being sold in schools Snacks are being sold in schools vending machines containing high vending machines containing high calories, fat, carbohydrates, and calories, fat, carbohydrates, and sugar sugar Some of these products consist of Some of these products consist of chips, candy, pastries and high sugar chips, candy, pastries and high sugar beveragesbeveragesThe current products need to be The current products need to be replaced with trail mix, granola bars, replaced with trail mix, granola bars, juices, and water.juices, and water.

““Children in schools are three times more likely to purchase sugar-Children in schools are three times more likely to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages from school vending machines than any other sweetened beverages from school vending machines than any other

product.” product.”

Dr. Jean Wiecha of the Harvard School of Public HealthDr. Jean Wiecha of the Harvard School of Public Health

ConclusionConclusion

Many of today’s children and youth have Many of today’s children and youth have unhealthy eating patterns that contribute to unhealthy eating patterns that contribute to many health risksmany health risksWe recommend promoting knowledge, We recommend promoting knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among school attitudes, and behaviors among school childrenchildrenTo counteract child obesity, students, their To counteract child obesity, students, their parents, and schools must be actively parents, and schools must be actively involved in ensuring that all environments involved in ensuring that all environments promote healthy eating patternspromote healthy eating patterns