September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Congress declared September the first-ever National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This is a time for all Americans to
• Realize children’s lives are in danger from excess foods and lack of physical activity;
• Make changes that will result in healthier kids and
• Take responsibility for a healthier future.
eXtension’s Families, Food and Fitness community of practice (CoP) of health and nutrition professionals invites all Extension workers to help Americans become healthier.
Families, Food and Fitness content on eXtension is focused on six key behaviors to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight:
• Move More Everyday
• Tame the Tube
• Control Portion Size
• Enjoy More Fruits and Vegetables
• Prepare More Meals at Home
• Re-Think Your Drink
Besides articles, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and Ask an Expert, the area has fun interactive tools including the “Beverage Guide to Sugars,” “Fast Food Menu with Fitness Calculator,” “Spice Guide” and “Nutrition Facts Label.” The site also offers healthy recipes, a cooking and nutrition glossary contributed by culinary textbook author Chef Sarah Labensky, and short, entertaining, and instructional videos.
Connect with Families, Food and Fitness on
Facebook, http://bit.ly/94G6cF
Twitter, http://twitter.com/FFFCoP
You Tube, http://bit.ly/bS3H9x
The Families, Food and Fitness CoP has 11 leaders from Mississippi State University; Montana State University; North Carolina State University; Rutgers, State University of New Jersey; University of Tennessee; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
If you are interested in joining the community, visit http://about.extension.org/
It is fantastic that Congress has declared September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. It is my hope that this will motivate personnel from agencies, schools, family organizations, community organizations etc. to form more youth-adult partnerships to address childhood obesity in homes, schools & communities across the nation.
September of each year will be a great time to start educational workshops and offer resources in school districts with the on-set of school years. Church groups, Extension staff and other program collaborators could share resources to educate and foster healthy eating, more active lives among children and youth and other strategies to combat childhood obesity.
Hi Sandra!
Yes, it is wonderful…childhood overweight and obesity needs national attention to garner the change needed to make a difference. September is a great time to start educational workshops to address this epidemic. Please refer to eXtension’s “Families Food and Fitness” CoP anytime you have questions about behaviors necessary to achieving a healthy body weight. We also offer webinars for parents and caregivers to help educate and empower them to make the lasting behavior changes they need to result in enhanced well-being. On October 20, Dr. Jennie Fisher (Temple University) and Dr. Laura Hubbs-Tait (Oklahoma State) will lead a webinar on “Early Parenting Feeding Styles.” They will explore the important role parents play in creating and fostering healthy eating habits in children that result in a positive relationship with food…for more information, visit this link: http://www.extension.org/pages/Early_Parenting_Feeding_Styles_Webinar
You are definitely right…it takes homes, schools, and communities working together to help our children achieve health! Let’s get busy!!!