National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

September 2015

33% of children in the United States are overweight or obese.  43% of American Indian children aged 2-4 are overweight or obese.  Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  There is a greater risk for breathing problems, such as sleep apnea and asthma and social and psychological problems such as discrimination and poor self-esteem in children with obesity.

The good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented.  In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, ITCA encourages your family to make healthy changes together.

  • Get active:  Go for a family walk; play music and have a dance party; play with a ball,
    inside or outside the home; go to a wellness or recreational center; or join a sports team.
  • Limit screen time: Keep screen time (including video games, computers, tablets, cellphones and TV’s) to 2 hours or less per day.  Children under 2 should have no screen time.
  • Make healthy meals and snacks: Buy and serve more fruit and vegetables and whole grains.  Have children help with simple tasks when preparing meals and snacks.
  • Serve healthy drinks: Water, fat free and low fat milk (for children 2 and older), and juice with vitamin C in limited amounts.

Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight.

For more information on Childhood Obesity, visit:

For more information on healthy eating and physical activity, visit: