"The physical and emotional health
of an entire generation and the
economic health and security of our
nation is at stake."
First Lady Michelle Obama at the
Let’s Move! launch on February 9,
2010
BACKGROUND
• Childhood obesity major public health concern in U.S.
• Obesity- over consumption of calories in comparison to physical
activity levels
• Sedentary lifestyle is the norm
• children lack regular physical activity
• Increased negative affects on ethnic/ racial minority children
BACKGROUND
• 20-60% higher obesity levels in unfavorable social conditions
• Low socioeconomic status
• Unsafe environment
• High poverty rates
• Lack of family support system
• Limited access to local grocery stores, farmers markets,
recreational parks
• more fast food and convenience stores
HITTING CLOSE TO HOME
Newark, NJ
• 88% of city population are of ethnic minority
• 45% children ages 3-5 obese
• 81% do not meet daily vegetable needs
• 60% of children not getting recommended level of physical activity
• 55% do not eat at least 1 serving of fruits or vegetable per day
• 44% of children do not have a health related curriculum in their
school system
MICHELLE OBAMA’S LET’S MOVE! CAMPAIGN
Let’s Move! is a health initiative dedicated to solving childhood obesity.
Aims to put children on a path to a healthy future during their earliest
years or months.
- provides parents with information to foster healthy
environments
- providing healthier foods in school systems
- Every family has access to affordable, health food
- helping kids become more physically active
Let’s Move! Aims to
put children on a path
to a healthy future
during their earliest
years or months.
AS HEALTH PROMOTERS, WHAT CAN WE DO?
• Spread awareness!
• Implement health initiative program
• Educate children about healthy food choices
• Predispositions to health related diseases
• Promote living an active life
• Emphasize practicing good habits
• Exercise, making the right food choices, getting the whole
family on board with this lifestyle change
GOALS OF HEALTH PROMOTERS
• Educate Children about health risks and susceptibility
• Teach children to be proactive
• Make healthy lifestyle choices
• Enrich knowledge in health education
• Boost overall levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem
HEALTH CONCERNS
Obesity and poor eating habits increases the risk of contracting illnesses.
•
Coronary heart disease
•
Stroke
•
Type 2 diabetes
•
Mental health conditions
•
Respiratory problems
WebMD
RECOMMENDED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL
3 types of physical activity:
• Aerobic activity
• Muscle strengthening
• Bone strengthening
Center for Disease
Control and
Prevention
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL
Aerobic activity
• 60 min per day; moderate to vigorous intensity level
• Ex: biking, walking to school, playing on the playground, swimming, running,
football
Muscle strengthening
• 3 days per week, 30 min per day
• Ex: tug-of-war, gymnastics, football, rugby
Bone strengthening
• Produce impact on bones to promote growth and strength
• 3 days per week, 30 min (included with muscle strengthening)
• Ex; Walking, running, basketball, martial arts
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
NUTRITION TIPS
Recommended servings for each food groups for children ages 2-13
years:
Grains: 3-6oz per day
Vegetables: 1-3 cups
Fruits: 1-2 cups
Milk/Dairy: 2-3 cups
Meat/Beans: 2-5oz
ChooseMyPlate.gov
PICKING THE RIGHT FOODS
Grains
o Whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, whole cornmeal, brown rice
Vegetables
o Broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens, corn, potatoes, carrots, peppers, green
beans, avocado, onions
Fruits
o Apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, oranges
Milk/Dairy
Meats/Beans
o Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans
Choose My Plate.gov
INCORPORATE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN
NUTRITION
Have regular family meals
Promote eating at the same time, together
Get kids involved
Take them food shopping, assist in meal preparation
Proactive way to learn about healthy food choices
Cook meals at home
 Home-cooked meals overall more healthy
Have variety of snacks readily available
Fruits, vegetables, whole grain snacks, low-sugar beverages
Limit portion sizes
Helpguide.org
TAKE- AWAY POINTS
Children in underprivileged areas have increased
chances of being overweight or obese.
Less likely to have available resources- local food stores,
parks/ recreational settings
Less support from family- parents work full time, not
around to monitor what children eat or snack on
Healthy food can be expensive and inaccessible
HEALTH PROMOTERS CAN…
• Initiate health education programs:
• Educate about proper eating habits
• Educate about proper exercise habits
• Prevention against health related illnesses and diseases
• Encourage the whole family to get involved- physical activity
levels, healthy eating
REFERENCES
Bilaver, L. A. (2010). Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity. ProQuest Dissertations and
Theses, 138. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/755485902?accountid=1
3605.
Chang, Y. (2012). Multilevel determinants of childhood obesity. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses,
118. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1143188099?accountid=
13605.
Singh, G. K., Siahpush, M., & Kogan, M. D. (2010). Neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, built
environments, and childhood obesity. Health Affairs, 29(3), 503-12. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/204624524?accountid=1
3605
Ohri-Vaschaspati, P., Llyod, K., Chou, J., Petlick, N., Brownlee, S., Yedidia, M. The New Jersey
Childhood Obesity Study. Rutgers Center for State Health Policy-Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation. Retrieved from: http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/Downloads/8410.pdf.
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-youngpeople.aspx#close
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_children_teens.htm
http://pediasure.com/kid-nutrition/five-food-groups-for-kids
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/fruits.html