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"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the

economic health and security of our nation is at

stake."

First Lady Michelle Obama at the Let’s Move! launch on February 9, 2010

BACKGROUND

• Childhood obesity major public health concern in U.S.• Obesity- over consumption of calories in

comparison to physical activity levels

• Sedentary lifestyle is the norm• children lack regular physical activity

• Increased negative affects on ethnic/ racial minority children

Childhood

obesity has more

than tripled in

the past 30

years

BACKGROUND

• 20-60% higher obesity levels in unfavorable social conditions• Low socioeconomic status• Unsafe environment• High poverty rates• Lack of family support system

• Limited access to local grocery stores, farmers markets, recreational parks• more fast food and convenience stores

HITTING CLOSE TO HOME

Newark, NJ

• 88% of city population are of ethnic minority• 45% children ages 3-5 obese• 81% do not meet daily vegetable needs• 60% of children not getting recommended level of

physical activity• 55% do not eat at least 1 serving of fruits or

vegetable per day

• 44% of children do not have a health related curriculum in their school system

OBESIT

Y IS

A G

ROWIN

G

CONCERN IN T

HE UNIT

ED

STATE

S

MICHELLE OBAMA’S LET’S MOVE! CAMPAIGN

Let’s Move! is a health initiative dedicated to solving childhood obesity.

Aims to put children on a path to a healthy future during their earliest years or months.

- provides parents with information to foster healthy environments

- providing healthier foods in school systems

- Every family has access to affordable, health food

- helping kids become more physically active

Let’s Move! Aims to put children on a path to a healthy future during their

earliest years or months.

AS HEALTH PROMOTERS, WHAT CAN WE DO?• Spread awareness!• Implement health initiative program

• Educate children about healthy food choices• Predispositions to health related diseases• Promote living an active life• Emphasize practicing good habits• Exercise, making the right food choices, getting

the whole family on board with this lifestyle change

GOALS OF HEALTH PROMOTERS

• Educate Children about health risks and susceptibility

• Teach children to be proactive

• Make healthy lifestyle choices

• Enrich knowledge in health education

• Boost overall levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem

HEALTH CONCERNS

Obesity and poor eating habits increases the risk of contracting illnesses.

• Coronary heart disease

• Stroke

• Type 2 diabetes

• Mental health conditions

• Respiratory problemsWebMD

RECOMMENDED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL3 types of physical activity:• Aerobic activity• Muscle strengthening• Bone strengthening

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELAerobic activity• 60 min per day; moderate to vigorous intensity level• Ex: biking, walking to school, playing on the playground,

swimming, running, football

Muscle strengthening• 3 days per week, 30 min per day• Ex: tug-of-war, gymnastics, football, rugby

Bone strengthening• Produce impact on bones to promote growth and strength• 3 days per week, 30 min (included with muscle strengthening)• Ex; Walking, running, basketball, martial arts

Get A

ctive

!

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

NUTRITION TIPS

Recommended servings for each food groups for children ages 2-13 years:

Grains: 3-6oz per day

Vegetables: 1-3 cups

Fruits: 1-2 cups

Milk/Dairy: 2-3 cups

Meat/Beans: 2-5oz

ChooseMyPlate.gov

PICKING THE RIGHT FOODS

GrainsoWhole-wheat flour, oatmeal, whole cornmeal, brown rice

Vegetableso Broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens, corn, potatoes, carrots,

peppers, green beans, avocado, onions

Fruitso Apples, bananas, grapes, mangoes, peaches, strawberries,

blueberries, oranges

Milk/Dairy

Meats/Beanso Black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans

Choose My Plate.gov

INCORPORATE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN NUTRITION

Have regular family mealsPromote eating at the same time, together

Get kids involvedTake them food shopping, assist in meal preparationProactive way to learn about healthy food choices

Cook meals at home Home-cooked meals overall more healthy

Have variety of snacks readily availableFruits, vegetables, whole grain snacks, low-sugar beverages

Limit portion sizesHelpguide.org

For a great way to monitor

your food habits and be

provided assistance with

maintaining a healthy diet

visit:

ChooseMyPlate

TAKE- AWAY POINTS

Children in underprivileged areas have increased chances of being overweight or obese.

Less likely to have available resources- local food stores, parks/ recreational settings

Less support from family- parents work full time, not around to monitor what children eat or snack on

Healthy food can be expensive and inaccessible

HEALTH PROMOTERS CAN…

• Initiate health education programs:• Educate about proper eating habits• Educate about proper exercise habits• Prevention against health related illnesses and

diseases• Encourage the whole family to get involved- physical

activity levels, healthy eating

REFERENCESBilaver, L. A. (2010). Socioeconomic determinants of childhood obesity. ProQuest

Dissertations and Theses, 138. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/755485902?accountid=13605.

Chang, Y. (2012). Multilevel determinants of childhood obesity. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, 118. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1143188099?accountid=13605.

Singh, G. K., Siahpush, M., & Kogan, M. D. (2010). Neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, built environments, and childhood obesity. Health Affairs, 29(3), 503-12. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/204624524?accountid=13605

Ohri-Vaschaspati, P., Llyod, K., Chou, J., Petlick, N., Brownlee, S., Yedidia, M. The New Jersey Childhood Obesity Study. Rutgers Center for State Health Policy-Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Retrieved from: http://www.cshp.rutgers.edu/Downloads/8410.pdf.

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/children.htmlhttp://

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-young-people.aspx#close

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_children_teens.htmhttp://pediasure.com/kid-nutrition/five-food-groups-for-kidshttp://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/fruits.html