How To Reduce and Prevent Childhood Obesity 

By Willie Brown

According to the CDC, “Approximately 1 in 5 U.S. children and adolescents have obesity, with the impact disproportionately affecting Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children, as well as those from lower-income families.”  September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and an excellent time to get educated on ways to combat this epidemic.

It seems ironic that families with less money for food would account for higher levels of obesity.  But the truth is food quality, nutritional value and levels of physical activity are just as important of the amount of food consumed.  Childhood obesity has a lot to do with eating habits. 

Families with lower incomes tend to buy lower priced items, which unfortunately are starchy, highly caloric carbohydrates which pack on pounds and inches. While it is true that overweight parents can produce overweight children, what is often inherited are poor eating habits and cooking habits. It is up to parents and other adult caregivers to change the alarming statistics on childhood obesity by changing what is on the family menu; by reinventing how food is eaten and prepared.

If you’ve ever tried unsuccessfully to lose weight, then you can only imagine what it’s like for a child with little knowledge or control over the quality of food that they eat.  It’s particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that follow them into adulthood, setting them up for serious medical conditions as well as poor self-esteem and depression.

So, what can be done to curb this epidemic?

First, understand that the biggest contributor to childhood obesity is lifestyle.  While some parents might argue that obesity runs in the family, the truth is obesity is caused primarily by consuming too many high caloric foods and drinks, while getting little or no physical activity.

Sitting for long periods of time, getting little or no exercise, eating junk food, and eating out too often or late at night can lead to obesity.  These behaviors can be controlled and changed through increasing physical activity, eating more fruit and vegetables, fewer sweets and fried foods. 

Social and environmental factors also contribute to obesity.  There are “food deserts” within low-income areas—fewer supermarkets and an overabundance of fast food restaurants serving highly salted, deep fried foods and sugary drinks. 

Despite these challenges, families can adopt lifestyle changes to reduce childhood obesity and ensure that it does not carry on into adulthood.  Obese children need support from the entire family, and one of the best ways to lend this support is to adopt healthy habits for the entire family. 

One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the eating and exercise habits of your entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity is a team effort.  Get everyone involved in exercise.  Walk, play sports or ride bicycles together, as a family.  Get children more involved in preparing meals. 

Make simple changes like substituting fruit for salty snacks, prepping meals ahead of time so there is always a healthy food option available. It’s also important to talk to your child’s doctor to ensure your child’s weight falls withing normal range for their age and height. Ask the doctor to check for diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol especially if it runs in your family.

Despite having less access to fresh produce in lower income communities, there are more Farmers Markets in Los Angeles County than ever before.  There are Farmer’s Markets now in the Crenshaw District, in Watts, on the Eastside and other areas of South Central Los Angeles.  Visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/docs/CurrentMrktsCounty.pdf to find a market near you.   

Inglewood has a weekly Farmers Market every Saturday at Hollywood Park and a monthly market is about to open at Frank D. Parent Elementary School on September 28.  Check out our article on Inglewood Farmer’s Markets in this week’s edition.