Event to Tackle Childhood Obesity

It is important to remember that adults aren’t the only ones at risk for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. More and more, children are at risk too.

Promotion of healthy dietary and physical activity habits are two major ways to help your child develop healthy habits early in life in order to bring lifelong benefits. Recommendations for maintaining weight should include regular physical activity and careful attention to diet to avoid too many calories. The healthiest way to change weight is gradually.

Because overweight children are more likely to be overweight adults, the American Heart Association recommends that “preventing or treating overweight in childhood may reduce the risk of adult overweight and this may help reduce the risk of heart disease and other diseases”. Reaching and maintaining an appropriate body weight at all ages is important. That's why recommendations that focus on small but permanent changes in eating may work better than a series of short-term changes that can't be sustained.

It is also very important that parents make sure to adopt these same behaviors (i.e. eating nutritious meals and enjoying physical activity) in their own life. The best way to lead a child to a healthy lifestyle is to set a positive example! Parents' involvement in modifying overweight children's behavior is vital. Parents who model healthy eating and physical activity can positively influence their children's health.

As we Mississippians together “tackle” improving the health of our children, I look forward to seeing you all at the American Heart Association / MSHFM 2008 Fall Family Football Fest this Saturday.

Chad A. Rhoden, MD, Ph.D.
Preventive Medicine & Health Promotion
Baptist Health Systems

"Great health contributes to peace and prosperity."