National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month 
 

On September 1, 2010 President Obama declared September
"National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month".

President Obama stated, "One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a Nation is to safeguard the health and well-being of our children.  We now face a national childhood obesity crisis, with nearly one in every three of America's children being overweight or obese.  There are concrete steps we can take right away as concerned parents, caregivers, educators, loved ones, and a Nation to ensure that our children are able to live full and active lives.  During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, I urge all Americans to take action to meet our national goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation."

Obesity has a profound effect on a child's life. Health problems related to childhood obesity include the following: 

  • Asthma

  • Diabetes, type 2

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Heart failure

  • Bone and joint problems in the lower body

  • Growth abnormalities

  • Emotional and social problems

  • Poor self-esteem

  • Victims of Bullying

  • Breathing problems

  • Rashes or fungal infections of the skin

Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to become an obese adult with health problems in adulthood, such as:

  • Heart disease

  • Stroke

  • Certain types of cancer

  • Osteoarthritis

  • Gout

  • Gallbladder disease

Children are our future. As adults, parents, educators and health professionals it is our responsibility to teach children about healthy food choices, benefits of physical activities and building self-esteem.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Organizations, Associations, and Programs

Child Health and Nutrition
Resources
Kids Eat Right your source for scientifically-based health and nutrition information you can trust to help your child grow healthy. As a parent or caretaker you need reliable resources and you can find them here, backed by the expertise of nutrition professionals.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is your source for trustworthy, science-based food and nutrition information. The worlds largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, AND is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
Let’s Move  is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.
Choose MyPlate.  The website features practical information and tips to help Americans build healthier diets. 
Action for Healthy Kids,  believe there are ways to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and undernourishment. Learn how Action for Healthy Kids is working with schools, families and communities to help our kids learn to be healthier and be ready to learn.
Healthy Children  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Healthy Children - Nutrition; Food Allergies in Children
Team Nutrition; 10 Tips Nutrition Education Series; Menu Planner for Healthy School Meals; Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Materials. Campaign launched by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to encourage and teach children, parents, and caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active every day. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ is about making America's children healthier. It's about practical suggestions that will help you motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be active. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Campaign messages and materials are fun for children and informative for caregivers. Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals; Fact Sheets For Healthier School Meals

 We Can. The We Can! GO, SLOW, and WHOA Foods fact sheet (pdf) can be posted on the refrigerator or used when grocery shopping. The We Can! Parent Tips - Snack (pdf) 100 Calories or Less tip sheet can help consumers choose vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk for healthier snacks.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to States to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The program is administered at the Federal level by FNS. State education agencies administer the SBP at the State level, and local school food authorities operate it in schools.
 
 

 


 


 


A Healthy Breakfast
"Rise and Shine"
by
Raffi

"Raffi" (Raffi Cavoukian), C.M., O.B.C.
Founder and Chair, Centre for Child Honouring 

"Imagine a new idea as vital as democracy. Now imagine helping it spread quickly throughout the world! Child Honouring is one such idea, an idea whose time has come. - Raffi


He is known to millions as "Raffi", a beloved songwriter and performer, author, ecology advocate and founder of Centre for Child Honouring. Child Honouring is a vision for creating a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of children.

In his career, which spans three-decades, Raffi has refused all commercial endorsement offers, and Troubadour Music, his own company, has never directly advertised or marketed to children. He is a passionate advocate for a child’s right to live free of commercial exploitation.

"We invite you to be a part of the global movement that views honouring children as the best way to create sustainable, peacemaking societies."  - Raffi

To learn more about the Centre for Child Honouring, please visit the Centre for Child Honouring and join "the compassion revolution."


 

"A Healthy Breakfast" is the beginning of a wellness campaign* to help prevent and treat childhood obesity through through education and information.

  • Children who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.
  • Children who skip breakfast feel tired or lack energy.
  • Children who skip breakfast may have problems concentrating.
  • Children who skip breakfast may have lower grades in school.
  • Children who skip breakfast may have learning and behavioral problems.
  • Children who skip breakfast may develop nutritional deficiencies.

Children who eat breakfast are Alert, Energized and Ready for a Brand New Day.

Rise and Shine.