The Family Perspective“Being on the front lines”

Lisa Hark, PhD, RD

Director, Nutrition Education and Prevention Program

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

www.lisahark.com

Objectives/Questions

Why are more kids overweight now?

What is the role of the family?

What common themes did I encounter?What common themes did I encounter?

What lessons did I learn?What lessons did I learn?

What are my hopes for the future?What are my hopes for the future?

Media Attention

Let’s use it!

OK, SO THERE IS A PROBLEM!

But why is this happening?

Factors Contributing To Weight Gain

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Calories

TV, Video and Computer Game Time

Sweetened Drinks/Snacks

Portion Sizes

Exercise,Gym, Recess

Fruits and Vegetables

Fast FoodSnack Food

Low-fat milk

Source: Lisa Hark, PhD, RD

Calorie Balance Too HighWeight Gain Results

Growing Growing

DevelopingDeveloping

MetabolizingMetabolizing

ExercisingExercising

Food Intake

Source: Lisa Hark, PhD, RD

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Media in the Bedroom

Percent of 8-18 year-olds with each mediumPercent of 8-18 year-olds with each medium in their bedroomin their bedroom::

TelevisionTelevision

Internet accessInternet access

VCR/DVD playerVCR/DVD player

Video game consoleVideo game console

68%68%

20%20%

49%49%

Cable/satellite TVCable/satellite TV

ComputerComputer

37%37%

31%31%

20%20%

54%54%

Premium cable channelsPremium cable channels

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds, March 2005: kff.org

What is the role

(and responsibility)

of the family?

Front Line Themes

Huge consumption of sweets, drinks, snacks.Huge consumption of sweets, drinks, snacks.

Kids eating what ever they wanted day and night.Kids eating what ever they wanted day and night.

Many diets low in vitamins and minerals.Many diets low in vitamins and minerals.

Rotten teeth, poor sleep, lack of energy, HTN, Rotten teeth, poor sleep, lack of energy, HTN, pre-diabetes, excess weight, mood swings.pre-diabetes, excess weight, mood swings.

Highly sedentary lifestylesHighly sedentary lifestyles TV and video games in most bedrooms Kids vegging out for hours and hours

TV Rules: Parent’s Role Percent of all 8-18 year-olds who say they have:

TV rules that TV rules that are enforced are enforced

“most” of time“most” of time

26%26%53%53%

20%20%

TV rules that TV rules that are are enforcedenforced some, a little some, a little

or neveror never

No rulesNo rulesabout TVabout TV

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds, March 2005: kff.org

Household Media Environment Percent of 8-18 year-olds living in homes where:

TV is “usually” TV is “usually” on during on during

mealsmeals

63%63%

36%36%

TV not usually TV not usually left on during left on during

mealsmeals

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds, March 2005: kff.org

Lessons Learned

Under reporting of TV and videogame useUnder reporting of TV and videogame use

Children are running the householdChildren are running the household

Parents want to take control but can’t Parents want to take control but can’t

Healthy lifestyle is a low priority when busyHealthy lifestyle is a low priority when busy

So what can we do?

A Public Health Framework to Prevent and Control Overweight and Obesity

Energy Intake Energy Expenditure

Energy Balance

Prevention of Overweight and Obesity Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Note: Adapted from “Preventing Childhood Obesity.” Institute of Medicine, 2005.

Individual Factors

Behavioral Settings

Social Norms and Values Home and

Family

School

Community

Work Site

Healthcare

Genetics

Psychosocial

Other Personal Factors

Food and Beverage

Industry

Agriculture

Education

Media

Government

Public Health Systems

Healthcare Industry

Business and Workers

Land Use and Transportation

Leisure and Recreation

Community- and Faith-based Organizations

Foundations and Other Funders

Food and Beverage Intake

Physical Activity

Sectors of Influence

CommunitCommunityy

PubliPublic c PolicyPolicy

OrganizationsOrganizations

FamilyFamily

IndividualIndividual

Addressing the Problem

Creative packaging on healthy foods

Character licensing primarily on healthy foods

My Hope for the Future

Parents prioritize & discipline better-starting early.Parents prioritize & discipline better-starting early.

Food industry creates more healthy foods for kids.Food industry creates more healthy foods for kids.

Advertising unhealthy foods to kids is Advertising unhealthy foods to kids is prohibitedprohibited. .

Recess everyday and gym at least 1 x per week is Recess everyday and gym at least 1 x per week is mandated in mandated in ALLALL U.S. schools. U.S. schools.

TV shows increase coverage of healthy lifestyles. TV shows increase coverage of healthy lifestyles.