Get advice on healthy eating, nutrition, and weight loss from expert dietitian Tara Gidus.
See all posts »Learn how we can empower youth to stay active and eat healthy!
Childhood obesity is skyrocketing today with statistics
showing that nearly one in three American children/teens is being classified in
the overweight and obese categories. It is now the number one health concern
parent’s face today topping drug abuse and smoking. That is ludicrous and this
needs to change immediately!
So, how do we fight this epidemic? It’s as simple as calories in vs. calories out. Decrease calorie consumption and increase physical activity. If you haven’t heard of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, you need to read further!
Causes of obesity are still a mix of factors, and can include genetics, lifestyle, and environment. While portion sizes and calorie intake has increased over the past few years, physical activity in general has decreased. The American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Recent statistics also show that activity levels in most children decrease from elementary school to high school.
The Fuel Up to Play 60 program is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched in 2007 by the National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program helps to empower youth to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. Since more than half of a student’s daily calories are consumed at school, the school environment is ideal to help improve certain behaviors and turn them into healthy, lifelong habits.
Fuel up to play 60 encourages children to achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and to consume nutrient-rich foods including:
Research shows when children are well nourished and physically active they tend to have better concentration and better performance in the classroom.
Get your child involved and let them help you pick out healthy, colorful foods at the grocery store that you will put into their lunches. After dinner, make it a point to go on a family bike ride or walk the dog together! Let’s get moving!
