I spoke at Rutger’s University in New Jersey last week and had a blast. I met some wonderful people dedicated to fighting childhood obesity. One suggestion I told the attendees about beating the children’s obesity problem is to contact government officials to get their support.
I was very happy today to read ( link ) about New Jersey government officials taking a lead role in the children’s obesity issue by creating an agency to combat the problem. New Jersey “has the highest percentage of overweight and obese children under age 5, at 17.7 percent, according to a 2004 survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
The commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, Fred M. Jacobs said, “he wants to tackle the obesity problem through education, support groups, and encouraging physical activity, rather than by banning particular foods. One goal is to ‘de-normalize’ the massive portions served in restaurants.” Jacobs went on to say, “I want to do that without creating a further stigma on individual people. It’s bad enough when you’re fat that people think less of you. I don’t want the government piling on. He is mulling the idea of having schools notify parents, via report cards, about children with weight problems.”
Obesity has become the country’s second-leading cause of preventable death, after smoking. Excess weight raises risk of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, depression, arthritis, and several types of cancer. “In New Jersey, almost 23 percent of residents are considered obese and another 37 percent are overweight, according to the CDC.”
May 31st, 2007
by Len Saunders
It is always interesting to read reports that come in from all around the globe pertaining to children and obesity, along with problems associated with this concern. For a while, it seemed like the United States was the only country to send out reports claiming their children were becoming increasingly overweight or obese. By reading through the Internet, it is obvious this is not just a concern in the US, but all over the world.
A report out of India ( link ) in the Statesman is claiming there has been a significant rise in diabetes in children throughout their country. As most of you know, there is a direct correlation between childhood obesity and childhood diabetes. Diabetes among children has been increasing due to “environmental risk factors.” This means a child’s environment has now become a health risk. When children become overly sedentary, along with ‘non’ nutritional diet, the risk of diabetes will increase. The article discussed today states, “Diabetes in children is increasing, primarily due to increase in childhood obesity. Rapid urbanization and economic growth creates social dynamics that promote diabetes risk factors. These include over-weight, decrease in physical activity, increase in sedentary activities such as television viewing and high fat and high energy diet.”
The article concluded with: “It is a growing concern. World Health Organization (WHO) has already predicted that by 2030 India will have 80 million diabetic patients out of a world figure of 366 million and also remarked India as a diabetes capital of the world.”
What can be done? I have some suggestions. Visit my 5 On 5 Plan web site to learn more!
May 23rd, 2007
by Len Saunders
It has been a crazy month and hopefully things will slow down for me a little so I can post here more often. I am pleased to announce that I will be a guest speaker at Rutgers University this week at their Children’s Health Summit. It should prove to be an exciting day. All the speakers will discuss ways of reducing the childhood obesity problem facing the world. I am going to discuss what changes need to be made to address this issue, and give some solutions to the problem. I will also discuss many of my successful programs that have helped millions of children lead healthier lifestyles. I will post here on a future date how it all went.
May 21st, 2007
by Len Saunders
Introducing The 5 on 5 Plan
One question commonly asked is why children are more overweight and obese compared to 20-30 years ago. This web page will hopefully address this issue. If you plan on using any information from this web site, please use the contact form link above to contact Len Saunders to get his permission.
What does the 5 on 5 Plan mean? In simple terms, it explains the top ten ways to reduce the obesity epidemic facing the youth of the world. The first 5 changes are examples that fall within your control. This means, you and your children have the ability to make the changes on your own, if you are determined. The second 5 examples are changes that are somewhat in your control. This means, you may need an outside source to assist you with these changes.
The 5 Changes Within Your Control
Watch The Liquid Intake
Did you realize that 1 in 5 calories consumed by children is from liquids? Reducing the sugary drinks in children is a good start in fighting childhood obesity or being overweight. This alone is a good reason to have your children drink more water that other liquids. Children need to learn the importance of drinking water. Since 70% (or two-thirds) of your body is made up of liquid, it is always important to replenish your body with the substance. Children should drink plenty of water as well as low fat milk and 100% all natural juices throughout the day.
The Bank Method
When you tell your children to exercise, do you think they understand its benefits? Most young children are not interested or bored with exercise because they do not comprehend the reasoning behind all the exertion.To them, exercise is just ‘work.’ Let’s face it, most children are fortunate because they are healthy and feel great….which is the best thing about being young. Their logic is “why do I need to exercise when I feel good?”
Introduce the ‘bank method’ to children when discussing exercise. You deposit money in a bank account to give you some security in the future. It sits in the bank and gets stronger as it collects interest and grows with each new deposit. Normally, you do not feel the benefits of these deposits right away because the money is not used.A confidence builds because you know the money saved my help you sometime in the future. Exercise is similar to the bank. If a child eats right, hydrates properly, gets plenty of sleep, and exercises daily, they may not see the benefits right away, but they will later in life. Each new health deposit through the years will pay its dividends in the future. This is how a bank and exercise are very similar, but teach the children the benefits of exercise.
Parent’s Acclimated To The New World
The parents of today cannot raise their children as their parents did 30 years ago. Many things have changed and there are new obstacles. Years ago, children were able to go outside and play on their own, walk to school on their own, and had only a handful of channels to choose from on the television. Most parents were not concerned about their children becoming obese, overweight, or sedentary. Move the clock ahead 30 years, and a major crisis is taking place.The bottom line, parents must become active in their children’s exercise time by initiating ways for them to play daily.
Exercise As You Eat
This one is simple. Just as eating is part of a child’s daily routine, make exercise part of the daily routine.
Parent’s Educate And Lead By Example
Parents are the key factor in reducing childhood obesity. Without the parents support, it will be a lost cause. It is important that a parent constantly educate their children about leading a healthy lifestyle. Discussions should occur frequently on what the family can do to stay healthy, and what habits to stay away from. The parents will not be taken seriously unless the lead by example. You cannot tell your child to not smoke or drink if they see you do it!
The 5 Changes Somewhat In Your Control
Support Daily Quality PE
One big problem that needs to be addressed more is the cuts in Physical Education throughout the world. Instead of daily, quality physical education taking place in the school, many programs are being cut or taught by non-certified staff. This is a shame and should really be changed. Talk to your child’s school board and discuss how more PE time needs to take place in your school district. Fight to keep your children healthy. Countless studies now prove that exercise in school stimulates the children’s cognitive skills as well.
Support Your Recreation Department
As PE is cut, so are many recreation departments. Show support for your local rec department. Get your children active in these team sports that also assist with social skills.
Push For Government Support
To be afraid to contact your local government officials and express your displeasure with the amount of health programs available to your child. Let them know you want more PE and recreational activities.
Use Less Technology
One of the major challenges parents are facing today is the technology available to their children. What makes technology great is the fact it makes our lives easier and sometimes more exciting or fun. However, this technology is raising a generation of sedentary children who really enjoy all these cool gadgets. So, the question arises when it comes to children’s health: Is technology or exercise winning the battle with the obesity epidemic facing the children of the world? Visit the 2:1 Club for more information on this topic by clicking here.
Political Correct Hurts
Is the world different than it was 20-30 years ago? Was it safer many years ago than today? These are tough questions to answer. In a world of being politically correct, has society been so acceptable to everyone and everything that the environment is not as safe for our children to walk to school or play outside alone? Not quite sure what the answer is to any of these questions, but just something to think about.
May 9th, 2007
by Len Saunders
I took my annual break from this blog due to preparations for Project ACES. It is a lot of work organizing it, and consumes a great deal of time. So, my apologies for not posting here for a few days. I will start posting again shortly on various topics, as well as post new fitness programs for children.
ACES Day went great today. I did a news search on google and found so much media on the event. Thank you to all of you that participated today. Check back shortly for new posts.
-Len
May 2nd, 2007
by Len Saunders