Chef Jamie Oliver and childhood obesity

Just a few days ago, on February, 10, 2010, Jamie Oliver, also known as the Naked Chef, gave an outstanding presentation to TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, announcing his prize wish: "Educate every child about food".

THE WISH

"I wish for your help to sustain a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again, and empower people everywhere to fight obesity."

It is 20 minutes of accurate eye-opening statistics and mouth-dropping facts shared with passion and gusto. Make sure that you see it all, especially the sugar cubes and wheel-barrow illustration... it is, sadly, very true and accurate.

Click here to view THE PLAN and THE NEED ...
Do take the time to not only read about his prize wish but also to investigate how you can make a difference and help support this much-needed movement towards healthier lives for our children!

Picture by Renata Osinska, PhotoXpress

President and First Lady Obama and childhood obesity 2010

President Obama has stated that childhood obesity is "one of the most urgent health issues that we face in this country".

On February 9, 2010, ABC's Good Morning America featured First Lady Michelle Obama who is launching an initiative entitled "Let's Move!" to combat childhood obesity.

"It's about overall health and physical fitness, not about BMI (body mass index)" she states. Her own daughters had been screened by their pediatrician and the First Family did have to make "small changes" such as eating out less and being more active which did lead to positive changes in their girls' BMI and overall health status. "The important question is how to help people to be more informed, to balance their lifestyle , to walk, run, play, eat their vegetables all while enjoying ice cream cake, burgers and fries on occasion" (paraphrased).

Mrs. Obama encourages her own daughters to participate in sports for health reasons and believes that it is important for children to know what it is like to work out and be fit and sweat. There are plans to expand and modernize the President's Physical Fitness Challenge.

In addition, she aims to increase awareness for all families to be able to make healthy food choices while making fresh produce and foods more accessible and affordable. And it is the goal of the Healthier US Schools Challenge Program and the revisited Child Nutrition Act to provide healthier school meals to all children during their time away from home. Model schools are presented and the tools necessary for interested schools to take on this challenge are provided.

Stay tuned to GMA tomorrow as well as top leaders involved in childhood obesity policy are interviewed.

Click here to read an informative article regarding this topic found in the Orlando Sentinel, Florida.

Photo: AP/J. Scott Applewhite - First Lady Michelle Obama in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb 9, 2010.

More About: America · obesity · activity · physical · childhood · health · Body Mass Index · BMI · First Lady Michelle Obama

Tips for helping your child to start out the new year healthy

So, you noticed that your child or teen made New Year's resolutions a few weeks ago but nothing seems to have changed -- what is a parent to do?

Here are some tips to help them regain confidence and make a permanent commitment:

• Recruit one or two of your child's close friends to make similar health commitments and changes as those that your child has expressed they are wanting to make.
• Make an appointment for your child or teen to speak with his or her physician to discuss any questions or concerns. This can provide some time and encouragement from a usually reliable third person source; often with teens, especially, this can be a great motivator.
• Start to exercise your self -- join a gym or go out for a walk or run every morning or evening or as your schedule allows. Invite your child or teen to join you -- take advantage also of this one-on-one time to communicate with your child or teen.
• Bring healthy food options into the home, keep non-healthy options out of your home.
• Build on your child or teen's past accomplishments for encouragement. If they have lost a bit of weight or seems to exercise just a bit more or seemed to grab an extra fruit or try a new vegetable or stopping to drink sodas or drinking less juice -- praise them for taking these first important steps!
• Help them to watch less TV by turning it off and turning on some music in the house. Encourage other activities.
• Help your child or teen to learn how to cope with stress. Enlist the help of a school, community or church counselor for particular challenges.
• Do not panic, do not criticize your child or teen -- this will only make them feel ashamed and may push them further from their goal while alienating themselves for communicating with you.

Click here for further suggestions from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Picture by PhotoXpress, Florian Hiltmair

More About: exercise · activity · physical · TV · tips · fruits · teens · nutrition · vegetables · medications · Alliance · family · parents