5 People And Organizations Combating Childhood Obesity
With our busy schedules, it's easy to neglect things like fitness and nutrition, and you don't want to pass bad habits to your children. We've compiled a list of five resources you should consult if you're hoping to get your kids more active, eating healthier, and doing what's necessary to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Helpful Voices in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Childhood Obesity Foundation | Strives to lead a societal shift toward healthy eating and active lifestyles across Canada in order to promote healthy weights and the resulting physical and emotional benefits |
| Jill Castle | Author of Fearless Feeding: How to Raise Healthy Eaters from High Chair to High School & Eat Like a Champion: Performance Nutrition for Your Young Athlete and host of The Nourished Child podcast |
| The CATCH Global Foundation | Links underserved schools and communities to the resources necessary to create and sustain healthy change for future generations, providing nutrition education and after-school programs for kids |
| Kids Cook Real Food | Katie Kimball presents an online video course that teaches young people how to navigate the kitchen and brings families together through cooking |
| Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln | Nebraska-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving health, wellness, and fitness throughout the community, with special programs focused on both public and private schools |
Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln on How to Add 5 Years to Your Life
Obesity Rates In The U.S.
| Years Studied | Adult Obesity Rate | Youth Obesity Rate (2-19 years of age) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-2016 | 39.6% | 18.5% |
| 2013-2014 | 37.7% | 17.2% |
| 2011-2012 | 34.9% | 16.9% |
| 2009-2010 | 35.7% | 16.9% |
| 2007-2008 | 33.7% | 16.8% |
| 2005-2006 | 34.3% | 15.4% |
| 2003-2004 | 32.2% | 17.1% |
| 2001-2001 | 30.5% | 15.4% |
| 1999-2000 | 30.5% | 13.9% |
Principals Talk About School Health and CATCH Promise
In Depth
Thanks to the rise of fast food and other factors like the ubiquity of technology, childhood obesity is a big worry for parents. In response, concerned people and organizations have emerged to fight this public health issue. If you are interested in learning more about their work, then here, in no particular order, is a selection of individuals and groups working to help kids make healthier choices.
Coming in at #1 is the Childhood Obesity Foundation. Founded in 2004 in British Columbia, it strives to reduce obesity and its related chronic diseases in Canada. Since its founding, it has brought together doctors, researchers, and other experts to determine ways to improve youth health. To further its mission of healthy eating and active lifestyles, the group has teamed up with a number of government funding partners and outside organizations, including the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Craving Change, and the David Suzuki Foundation.
The Childhood Obesity Foundation publicizes several programs to promote proper diet and exercise. Appetite to Play, for instance, provides healthy eating and physical activity practices and resources, particularly for early childhood. Elsewhere, Screen Smart aims to decrease recreational technology use and increase activity levels. In addition to these programs, the group also engages in policy debates, supporting moves to tax sugary drinks and restrict marketing to kids.
Appetite to Play, for instance, provides healthy eating and physical activity practices and resources, particularly for early childhood.
In the #2 spot is Jill Castle. A registered dietitian and pediatric nutritionist, Castle brings over twenty-seven years of experience to her practice, having, in the past, worked at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. In 2008, she opened her own independent practice in New Canaan, Connecticut, and offers virtual consultations. She sees children dealing with a variety of issues, including overeating and obesity.
Beyond her work with patients, Castle keeps busy in several other endeavors. She offers her services as a speaker, delivering keynote addresses, workshops, and breakout sessions. She also runs nutrition classes, which focus on topics such as specific diets for ADHD and nourishing the whole child. Lastly, Castle hosts a podcast and has published several books, such as "The Calcium Handbook" and "Fearless Feeding."
At #3 is the CATCH Global Foundation. With its name standing for a Coordinated Approach to Child Health, this organization has roots that reach back to the late 1980s, to a large school-based health promotion study. Over the years, it has continued its dedication to the wellbeing of young people, and today it serves 10,000 schools and communities in the United States. Taking a holistic approach that targets nutrition, the classroom, and physical education, it aims to set kids on the path to a healthier future.
Taking a holistic approach that targets nutrition, the classroom, and physical education, it aims to set kids on the path to a healthier future.
To support its mission, CATCH has a range of initiatives for kids of all different ages. Its Early Childhood program, for example, encourages exercise and nutritious eating for little ones aged three to five. Offerings for older students continue this effort, promoting healthy habits both inside and outside the classroom. In recognition of its success, CATCH was selected by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as a coordinated school health program that improves physical activity and diet for young people.
Coming in at #4 is Kids Cook Real Food. Created by Katie Kimball, a mom of four, this online course teaches young people how to navigate the kitchen. Through a series of videos, it helps children master thirty basic cooking skills, thereby empowering them to take control of their nutrition and health and freeing up valuable time for older family members. As of 2020, more than 12,600 families have made use of KCRF.
Particular areas of teaching focus for Kids Cook Real Food include knife skills, measuring and stirring, and preparing foods like eggs, pancakes, and stir fry. In addition to this online course, KCRF offers a selection of cooking utensils and educational resources, like family-style measuring cups, kid-friendly tools, and stand-alone teaching units. To bring her learning community together, Kimball maintains an active online presence, running a Facebook page and posting regularly on her blog.
In addition to this online course, KCRF offers a selection of cooking utensils and educational resources, like family-style measuring cups, kid-friendly tools, and stand-alone teaching units.
Last but not least, at #5 is Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln. Based in Nebraska, this non-profit organization seeks to promote health, wellness, and fitness throughout the community. A collaborative endeavor, PHL teams up with clinics, health care providers, and other organizations to increase the life expectancy and quality of life of the city's residents. In the past, it has worked in conjunction with the Malone Community Center, Woods Tennis Center, and Positivity Matters.
Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln runs a number of initiatives across different areas. For example, it raises awareness of breastfeeding, sharing resources that help support baby-friendly communities; PHL also spreads information on sugary beverages, which contribute greatly to the obesity epidemic. Elsewhere, this organization sponsors an outdoor running and community event and delivers food and fitness education in city schools.
