The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Tennessee Department of Health in recognizing September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, according to a Tuesday afternoon news release from the JMCR Health Department.
“Childhood obesity is a major public health problem in the United States,” Health Educator Shenika Bond said.
About 1 in 5 children in the United States has obesity, according to CDC. Children with obesity are at a higher risk for having chronic health conditions and diseases like asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. They also have more risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
“Childhood obesity can also lead to psychological problems like anxiety and depression, as well as low self-esteem and social problems such as bullying,” WIC Registered Dietitian Bonita Webster said.
Children with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile are classified as obese. Among children aged 2 to 4 years enrolled in the Tennessee Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, about 1 in 4 were considered to be overweight or have obesity in 2019. In Madison County, 11.7% of children enrolled in Tennessee WIC were considered obese in 2019.
The Tennessee WIC Program provides healthy foods and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under age five. The health department also provides resources and education throughout the year about childhood obesity and nutrition.
Parents and caregivers can take the following steps to help prevent obesity:
- Provide nutritious, lower-calorie foods like fruits and vegetables instead of foods high in added sugars and solid fats.
- Make sure drinking water is available as a no-calorie alternative to sugary drinks and limit juice intake.
- Help children get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
- Make sure your child gets at least 8 hours of sleep each night, maybe more depending on age.
Call the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department at 731-423-3020 for more information about nutrition education or the Tennessee WIC Program.