September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
CDC says:
What are the consequences of childhood obesity?
Health risks now
Childhood obesity can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways. Obese children are more likely to have–
High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more.2
Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.3
Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, and asthma.4,5
Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.4,6
Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).3,4
Obese children and adolescents have a greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem, which can continue into adulthood.3,7,8
Health risks later
Obese children are more likely to become obese adults.9, 10, 11 Adult obesity is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.12
If children are overweight, obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe.13
Childhood obesity is the result of eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity.
Why focus on food and physical activity environments?
There are a variety of environmental factors that determine whether or not the healthy choice is the easy choice for children and their parents. American society has become characterized by environments that promote increased consumption of less healthy food and physical inactivity. It can be difficult for children to make healthy food choices and get enough physical activity when they are exposed to environments in their home, child care center, school, or community that are influenced by–
Sugar drinks and less healthy foods on school campuses. About 55 million school-aged children are enrolled in schools across the United States,1 and many eat and drink meals and snacks there. Yet, more than half of U.S. middle and high schools still offer sugar drinks and less healthy foods for purchase.2 Students have access to sugar drinks and less healthy foods at school throughout the day from vending machines and school canteens and at fundraising events, school parties, and sporting events.
Advertising of less healthy foods. Nearly half of U.S. middle and high schools allow advertising of less healthy foods,2 which impacts students' ability to make healthy food choices. In addition, foods high in total calories, sugars, salt, and fat, and low in nutrients are highly advertised and marketed through media targeted to children and adolescents,3 while advertising for healthier foods is almost nonexistent in comparison.
Variation in licensure regulations among child care centers. More than 12 million children regularly spend time in child care arrangements outside the home.4 However, not all states use licensing regulations to ensure that child care facilities encourage more healthful eating and physical activity.5
Lack of daily, quality physical activity in all schools. Most adolescents fall short of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommendation of at least 60 minutes of aerobic physical activity each day, as only 18% of students in grades 9—12 met this recommendation in 2007.6 Daily, quality physical education in school can help students meet the Guidelines. However, in 2009 only 33% attended daily physical education classes.7
No safe and appealing place, in many communities, to play or be active. Many communities are built in ways that make it difficult or unsafe to be physically active. For some families, getting to parks and recreation centers may be difficult, and public transportation may not be available. For many children, safe routes for walking or biking to school or play may not exist. Half of the children in the United States do not have a park, community center, and sidewalk in their neighborhood. Only 27 states have policies directing community-scale design.8
Limited access to healthy affordable foods. Some people have less access to stores and supermarkets that sell healthy, affordable food such as fruits and vegetables, especially in rural, minority, and lower-income neighborhoods.9 Supermarket access is associated with a reduced risk for obesity.9 Choosing healthy foods is difficult for parents who live in areas with an overabundance of food retailers that tend to sell less healthy food, such as convenience stores and fast food restaurants.
Greater availability of high-energy-dense foods and sugar drinks. High-energy-dense foods are ones that have a lot of calories in each bite. A recent study among children showed that a high-energy-dense diet is associated with a higher risk for excess body fat during childhood.10,11 Sugar drinks are the largest source of added sugar and an important contributor of calories in the diets of children in the United States.12 High consumption of sugar drinks, which have few, if any, nutrients, has been associated with obesity.13 On a typical day, 80% of youth drink sugar drinks.14
Increasing portion sizes. Portion sizes of less healthy foods and beverages have increased over time in restaurants, grocery stores, and vending machines. Research shows that children eat more without realizing it if they are served larger portions.15,16 This can mean they are consuming a lot of extra calories, especially when eating high-calorie foods.
Lack of breastfeeding support. Breastfeeding protects against childhood overweight and obesity.17,18 However, in the United States, while 75% of mothers start out breastfeeding, only 13% of babies are exclusively breastfed at the end of 6 months. The success rate among mothers who want to breastfeed can be improved through active support from their families, friends, communities, clinicians, health care leaders, employers, and policymakers.
Television and media. Children 8—18 years of age spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media, including TV, computers, video games, cell phones, and movies. Of those 7.5 hours, about 4.5 hours is dedicated to viewing TV.19 Eighty-three percent of children from 6 months to less than 6 years of age view TV or videos about 1 hour and 57 minutes a day.20 TV viewing is a contributing factor to childhood obesity because it may take away from the time children spend in physical activities; lead to increased energy intake through snacking and eating meals in front of the TV; and, influence children to make unhealthy food choices through exposure to food advertisements.21,22
Together we can help battle the rise of Childhood Obesity!!! Nothing is Impossible!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ August is National Immunization Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren’t just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:
Young children:
Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Pre-teens and teens:
Pre-teens need shots at age 11 or 12 to help protect them from tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, meningitis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
Teens need a booster shot at age 16 to help protect them from meningitis.
Adults:
All adults need a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
People age 65 or older need a one-time pneumonia shot.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.
Come see what the Health Department can do for you, we are available as a great resource and can assist with questions and concerns on all your school vaccination needs, Flu Clinic schedule, and Shingles/Zostavax Vaccinations for older adults.
For more information contact the Health Department at (973) 835-5700 x 135 or 109 for our Public Health Nurses. Also on our webpage: www.peqtwp.org/health
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July is UV Safety Month
Sponsor by:
American Academy of Ophthalmology (http://www.aao.org/)
UV Safety Month is a great time to spread the message of sun, fun, and UV safety to your community. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main cause of skin cancer. UV rays can also damage your eyes.
Anyone can get skin cancer, but the risk is greatest for people with:
• White or light-colored skin with freckles
• Blond or red hair
• Blue or green eyes
You can take these steps to help prevent skin cancer:
NCADD http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/programs-a-services/alcohol-awareness-month held every April, was founded by and has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987 to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism that too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help".
