“Healthy Living – A Family Approach”

A major health challenge for the 21st century

Healthy Living

Definitions

• Overweight Weighing more than recommended in relation to height and build 

• Obesity Excessively high amount of fat in relation to height and build (associated with serious health consequences)

Healthy Living

Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Measures the relative percentages of fat and muscle 

• Online calculator:

www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/bmicalculator.html

 

• 18.5 to 24.9 = normal weight

25 to 29.9 = overweight

30 or higher = obese

Healthy Living

How bad is the situation?

• Childhood obesity in the United States = epidemic

 

• 30 percent of children ages 6-11 are overweight

 

• 15 percent are obese

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If the trend continues…

If trend continues, many children will have serious health

consequences.

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The causes

Lifestyle choices

• High-calorie diets

• Little or no exercise

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How obesity affects children 

• Health problems

 

• Social struggles

 

• Academic troubles

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What we’re doing to fight obesity

• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee WalkingWorksSM program

• Program sponsorships

• Information in newsletters, Web sites, etc.

• BluePerks discounts for fitness centers

• And much more

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What can parents do?

Focus on healthy eating and physical activity.

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Be positive role models

• Explain why things need to change • Ask the entire family to make new habits – not just the overweight child • Avoid negative goals • Focus on healthy living

(healthy food and exercise)

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Take small steps

  

• Make subtle and incremental changes 

• Each month substitute one unhealthy food for a healthy alternative Example: Instead of chips, buy fruit cups. 

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Don’t be too restrictive

• Allow some sweets and fast foods • Don’t put a child on a diet unless recommended by a doctor • Too few calories can interfere with growth 

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Get active!

• Get the entire family involved

• Create lasting healthy habits for everyone

• Exercise DOES NOT equal hard work

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Watch what your kids drink too

• Average soda = 10 teaspoons of sugar

• Diet soda = no nutrients

• Juices = more sugar, calories

Healthy Living

Reinvigorate your family meals

• Introduce healthy foods

• Limit “fast food” to one meal per week

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Limit video, TV and computer time

• Clear link between watching TV and weight problems

• TV in a child’s room = bad idea

• Limit TV time to no more than 1 to 2 hours per day

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Remember, children

take their cues from

their parents. So set

a good example for

them to follow.

Questions