Kool for Momz N Dadz

So often we are inundated with news of America’s ever-expanding waistline. We now understand how important diet and exercise are. As adults, we know the relationship between what foods we chose to eat and the amount of weight we gain or lose. We have learned that choosing a sedentary lifestyle can be detrimental to our overall health and well-being.

As adults we have the freedom to make choices. We can stop at a fast food joint on the way home from work, or choose to go home and make a nutritious meal. We can choose to sit in front of the television or go out for a jog around the block. But the children in this country rely on adults to help them make good choices. They eat what an adult chooses to prepare, or not prepare, for them. They often must be driven or supervised if they would like to take a walk or play at a playground.

A recent study from UT Southwestern has found that toddlers, ages 1-3, who do not attend daycare and those from lower income families tend to weigh more than their counterparts. By putting on extra pounds, the study found that 20% of overweight toddlers were iron deficient. What does that mean? These children can expect impaired bone marrow and muscle function in addition to behavioral and cognitive delays, including impaired learning, decreased school achievement, and lower scores on tests of mental and motor development.

Children who are not at daycare often stay at home with a parent or caregiver. That might mean watching television and playing video games for long periods of time. They may not eat healthy meals and may eat more while sitting in front of a television or computer. Children at daycare tend to be active for most of the day. Most schools do not even have televisions in the classrooms. In addition, most daycare toddlers eat less. They are usually served healthy meals and snacks. They are also frequently exposed to new and different foods.

The article addresses the Hispanic population. The UT Southwestern researchers believe that these often lower income families tend to rely on breastmilk for longer periods of time. Children, in turn, consume unhealthy amounts of milk and juice throughout their childhood. This leads to a decreased appetite for healthy solid foods.

Childhood obesity is not going to decrease unless we take the proper steps to provide a healthy lifestyle for the children in this country. Education, funding, and support should be available to all parents and caregivers, no matter what their economic standing or race may be.

Copyright © 2007