30 Days of Obesity Awareness

9:24 AM


By , RD & Best Teen Diets Special Contributor
Image: http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/about/

September for many families means going back to school.  But did you know that this month is also the third ever National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month? The ongoing increase in overweight and obesity in Americas children first prompted President Obama to proclaim September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in 2010.  Currently one-third of Americans are categorized as obese, but it is projected that 50% of Americans will be obese by the year 2030 if we continue on our current track.  What does this all mean for you?
This month is a time to think of ways that we can eat healthy and be more physically active every day. 

What does it mean to be obese?
Obesity is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sexBMI is short for the term body mass index.  It is simply a measurement, like your shoe size is, but this measurement is for your weight according to how tall you are.  Obesity means having a greater weight for height than is recommended for your age.  Because weight changes with age, teenagers are expected to have different BMIs than adults.  Still not sure?  Children and teens ages 2-19 can figure out and learn more about their BMIs by clicking here.   

I know my BMI, now what?
Knowing your body mass index helps you to be aware of where your body is at and where it should be so that you can be on your way to creating a healthier you.  Here are 3 practical ways, regardless of your BMI, that can help you build a better body:
1.      MOVE around for 60 minutes.  It can be playing basketball or Frisbee with friends, taking out the trash, helping your parents in the yard, walking to the grocery store, or dancing to your favorite songs.  Being physically active can make you feel more awake, feel less stressed, be more positive about yourself, and help you perform better in school and in sports. 

Try it!  Make a couple of playlists of your favorite songs.  You know you have enough songs on a playlist when the total minutes are equal to 30.  Then play one of your playlists while you help wash moms car.  Play another as you walk to the park with friends or as you dance around in your backyard.  Just like that, you will have completed an hour of physical activity!   

2.      EAT a new fruit or vegetable one time per week.  It is fun to discover new foods even if you are trying a different variety of something like a golden delicious apple instead of a fuji one.  Eating a mix of different fruits and veggies prevents us from getting bored of any one.  Did you know there are 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States?

Try it!  Each time you go to the store with your parents, spot out one new item in the produce section to try.  Compare snow peas with snap peas or a red bell pepper with a green one.  Then find a recipe to use your favorites in!

3.      DRINK water to stay hydrated.  Sugar-sweetened beverages cause our blood sugar to rise and fall quickly, which can cause our brains to crash and bodies to lose energy.  To keep your body going throughout the day, choose water, low-fat or skim milk, 100% fruit juice, and small sizes of soda if you are going to have them.

Try it!  Flavor your water by adding a couple of mint leaves and ¼ of a fresh lemon.

Dont stop!
September may be the designated month in which we can think of ways to eat healthy and be more physically active, but to keep our mind and bodies doing the things we want them to do, we must strive to take these steps every day!

5 Simple Steps to Success with the Lets Move campaign.  Read More: http://www.letsmove.gov/kids
The official site for National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month: http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/about/


Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for peak performance. For more information regarding healthy eating for teens visit www.bestteendiets.org

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