As families across Louisiana settle into the school year, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is encouraging parents and children to make physical activity and healthy routines part of their everyday lives during National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in September.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five children in the United States has obesity, with Louisiana among the states facing a particularly significant childhood obesity challenge. Childhood obesity is a complex health condition influenced by many factors, including genetics, eating patterns, physical activity, sleep, access to health care and the environments where children live, learn and play. Children with obesity are at greater risk for a number of health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and sleep apnea.
The CDC recommends that children ages 3 to 5 be physically active throughout the day, while children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. Activities can include walking, running, biking, swimming, playing on a playground, participating in sports, or simply engaging in active play.
Physical activity provides benefits beyond maintaining a healthy weight. Regular physical activity can improve children's brain health, attention and memory, muscular fitness, cardiovascular health, and blood sugar regulation while reducing the risk of chronic conditions including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections encourages families to look for opportunities to build movement into activities they are already doing. Families can:
· Make movement family time. Take an evening walk, ride bikes, dance at home or play an active game together.
· Choose activities children enjoy. Sports aren't the only way to stay active. Swimming, walking, playground activities, jumping rope and active play all count.
· Make everyday activities active. Walking the dog, washing the car, gardening and other household chores can add movement to the day.
· Limit sedentary time. Replace some screen time with outdoor play or another activity the family enjoys.
· Build healthy routines around food and sleep. Healthy eating and adequate sleep are important parts of children's growth and development.
· Keep regular health care appointments. Pediatricians and other health care providers can monitor a child's growth and development, identify potential health concerns and help families determine when additional support may be appropriate.