Childhood Obesity

For an educational class I have to write an advocacy letter. I am going to write it about childhood obesity. 

Obesity is more than 20 percent above ideal weight or a particular height and age. 

In the United States around 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese. This is a very alarming number. 

Children are not getting the correct amount of physical activity at home so we as professionals need to provide extra amounts of physical activity during the day. I think the best way to get children moving is to get them involved in the lessons. 

For example when teaching math have the children get up and use props for the math. You can go outside and use chalk to make a large number line and have the children jump to each number to do simple addition/subtraction problems.

Even just by adding a little time of exercise each day will allow the children to become healthier and more physically fit. 

Also as educators if we have snack we should provide healthy options to help keep them healthy.  

Parents, you can look for different options in your community for inexpensive ways to get your children moving. 


This site offers some tip sheets for parents to help their children with weight. 

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/tools-resources/parent-tip-sheets.htm