This month the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on childhood obesity. Heather A. Anderson, BS, community outreach coordinator, Community PARTners Core of the Pitt CTSI and community and program educator, Community Benefits Initiative, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, sat down to have a dynamic conversation about the featured topic.
HA: Good afternoon, Ms. Bush. Can you believe the summer is coming to an end and kids are back in school already?
EB: I can’t, Heather. I always know it’s here when I see back-to-school specials on clothes, school supplies and even lunch foods and snacks in stores.
HA: Thinking of kids and food and snacks, we cannot help but talk about the alarming rate of childhood obesity in the United States today. Approximately 33 percent of U.S. children and adolescents ages infant to 26 are overweight or obese. This is a challenge that’s only addressed by making smart choices in food and activity.
EB: The health and well-being of our children is everything, Heather. Children are the ambassadors of our future, and we need to set them up for success. It’s important to remember that the behaviors and tastes that kids pick up during childhood will follow them forever and ultimately affect their health. As adults, we’re role models, and kids will mirror what we eat and do. We can teach and model healthy eating, appropriate portion sizes and active lifestyles to the children in our lives. I understand that this can sometimes be hard to do on a budget and with busy schedules. But there are ways to make it work.
HA: Great point! Access to fresh foods and healthier options is challenging on a budget.
EB: I know myself that making healthy food choices isn’t always easy. Companies use big words in food labels to hide sugar, and restaurants offer big portion sizes. And we probably all have family members telling us to “clean your plate.”
HA: You bring up two very important and overlooked topics. The sugar content in foods and drinks should be monitored. Increased sugar consumption increases the likelihood of developing a negative health outcome like obesity or diabetes. A lot of unnecessary sugar in our diet comes from pop and juices. The average 12 oz. can of soda has 32 grams of sugar in it. If you drink one of these per day, that’s 25 lbs. of sugar a year. It’s best to drink water when you’re thirsty, avoid sugary sodas and fruit juices. Portion size is something that’s also important. As you point out, Ms. Bush, people in the United States are cultured to eat a lot.
EB: Yes, we actually need to take the time with kids to help them identify feelings of hunger and fullness. No one wants to waste food, but we shouldn’t force kids to eat until they are full. And when kids eat big meals, it’s important for them to burn excess energy by being active. Whether it’s riding bikes, playing a sport or taking the dog for a walk, kids should be active for at least 60 minutes per day.
HA: So true, Esther. The combination of eating better and being physically active is essential. In Pittsburgh there are a ton of parks and free programs that will help families, like those offered by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
EB: Heather, I’m so glad we had this conversation about setting our kids up for success, especially as they start a new school year. Navigating the world of food can be challenging with tight budgets and confusing messaging, but healthy eating is possible. We adults need to teach kids to eat nutritiously and promote exercise. If we can accomplish this, it will help to create a healthier future for us all.
Next month’s health focus is breastfeeding. For more information or with questions, e-mail partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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