The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Michelle Obama was on Jeopardy, a guest clue reader in the Teen Tournament tonight. The category was mainly about the White House Community Garden and at the end she gave a little talk about the childhood obesity epidemic. I like the Obamas and approve of most of their initiatives, but I have to say tonight I was disappointed. She really just said a whole lot of words with no substance. I expect more.

She talked about how the tripling of childhood obesity rates over the last thirty years didn't happen overnight. Then she went on to say it is a complex problem that will require all our efforts ... but didn't really offer any concrete steps at all.

And actually the problem is not really all that complex; it's quite simple. Kids are exercising too little and eating too much. And for that matter, thirty years - little more than one generation - pretty much is overnight in the great scheme of things. Certainly it's far too short a period for some strange kind of genetic mutation that slows metabolism to have developed, for example.

Now it's wonderful that some kids in Washington have access to a community garden, and it's certainly a program that should be emulated in as many places as possible, but there are lots of other pieces of advice she could have given too. If I were in a position of power, I would have had a whole lot more to say and plenty of programs to propose too.

First of all, kids have to move. They're made to move, and I'm absolutely convinced that a lot of the ADD/ADHD cases (another "epidemic" of the past thirty years or so) are really just kids who don't get nearly enough opportunity to move. Working parents too busy to be active with their kids, neighbourhoods that are unsafe for outdoor play, and kids being bussed to schools miles away are among the things that help contribute.

So I would start by making an hour of physical activity mandatory in the school day - and if you need to extend the school day an hour, so be it. It doesn't have to be traditional gym classes either. I would start every day with at least fifteen minutes of exercise for the whole school (maybe giving a pass to kids who walked at least fifteen minutes to school). These could be anything from basic calisthenics moves to hip hop dancing - whatever gets kids going. During the day teachers (or aides or volunteers) could take the kids for neighbourhood walks. And there should be all sorts of teams and activities for all abilities and interests - dance, karate, cheerleading, snowshoeing ... everything. Even if it's only following along with a YouTube video, kids have got to be active.

Now one for parents (yes, it's your responsibility too): limit the screen time!!! I know it's easier to let the TV babysit when you're tired and trying to make dinner. I know it's exhausting to fight with a teen over Facebook or the latest video game, but it's their lives we're talking about! Do you really want them to be subject to health related illnesses and to die young? Blunt but true. So with the exception of homework that needs to be done on the computer, limit screen time (all of it: TV, computer, iPad - unless it's pure reading) to an hour a day. Keep the computer(s) in a central location - NOT kids' bedrooms, and corral mobile devices at the end of the day so they're not sneaking on them in the middle of the night. Of course they'll complain mightily and probably for weeks ... and then eventually they'll put on some music and dance, or go for a walk or bike ride to the park to shoot some hoops. Parents spend a fortune on the latest tech gadgets for their kids; how about investing in some sports equipment or paying for ballet class?

Now, on to food. Of course there should always be candy and other special treats in kids' lives, but they should be just that: special - not everyday fare. In school kids need to learn about healthy eating, whether in science, health or English class. Bring back home ec. so kids can also learn how to prepare simple, healthy food. Make sure any meals served in school are healthy; certainly ban all the junk food. Outside of school, tax junk food heavily - and use the proceeds to help subsidize healthier options.

And again, one for parents. Monitor what your kids eat as much as possible. They won't eat the chips you don't keep in the house ... but they might eat the carrot sticks sitting all ready in a bowl in the fridge. Don't make pit stops at McDonald's a daily - or even weekly - habit. Be realistic about portion sizes and number of servings too. It used to be you lined up at the water fountain at recess; now kids show up for recess with small lunches ... and spend the whole time eating and none playing! Be especially careful of all the beverage options; they seem so innocent but the calories add up (and even healthy juices are notoriously bad for the teeth). And it's a complete paradox (but a sad tribute to savvy marketing) that energy drinks are so popular when kids are using less energy than ever.

It's heartbreaking that so many kids are destined to spend their lives in poor health, and perhaps with poor self-esteem too due to body image issues, when the remedies are so simple. (Not to mention that it's practically obscene to have some people eating twice what they need when there are still kids in the world literally starving to death every single day.) A few more phys ed. classes now could save a whole lot of medical expenses not too far down the road. I really hope the obesity epidemic is one epidemic that will be cured sooner rather than later for everybody's sake.