July 4-8 is National Childhood Obesity Week

July 4-8 is National Childhood Obesity Week

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It’s National Childhood Obesity Week, seven days focused on educating the public about the dangers of childhood obesity, its effects on a child and society’s health, and look for means to help fight the challenges.
 
During the pandemic, the national rate of obesity among kids ages 2 to 19 increased to 22.4% in 2020, up from 19.3% in 2019. This pandemic emphasizes the importance of taking action on childhood obesity to protect and promote healthy lives for all children.
 
While there is no simple solution, there are many ways parents and caregivers can help children reach a healthy weight. Here are some tips from the CDC:
 

Eat the Rainbow

Having a healthy diet can help children get the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development, and help them reach a healthy weight. A healthy diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy.

Move More

Compared to those who are inactive, physically active youth have stronger muscles and better cardiovascular fitness. They also typically have lower body fat and stronger bones. Regular physical activity in childhood also reduces the risk of depression.

Reduce Screen Time

Adults and children spend over 7 hours a day being sedentary – and that doesn’t include time spent sleeping! Many of these sedentary hours are spent sitting or laying down with a phone, tablet, or computer; watching TV; or playing video games (also known as screen time).

For more tips, visit cdc.gov

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