National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

National Childhood Obesity Month is upon us and various city partners have developed strategies to help children better understand the importance of exercise, being active, and educating parents and teachers on reducing the number of children who are overweight.

It is an important issue because one in three children in the United States is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

“Children and adolescents should do at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day in order to manage their weight management and to ensure proper physical and mental development,” said Lisa Glidden, Nutrition Service Manager

The Department of Public Health, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the El Paso Zoo offer a variety of initiatives to assist in becoming more physically active and learn about good nutrition and healthy eating. Taking small steps as a family can help our children stay at a healthy weight.

Some of our ways to assist:

City of El Department of Public Health Activities and Resources – www.ephealth.org:

• Move! El Paso Trails in neighborhoods throughout El Paso.                                                                                        www.moveelpaso.org

• Nutrition services– the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)           Program. To locate the Department of Public Health’s WIC Center nearest you call 2-1-1 (press Option 1)

• Wild About Health Program– Visit the El Paso Zoo, walk around it and learn about the program

• Take the Eat Well El Paso free online Nutrition Course at:  http://chs.utep.edu/publichealthsciences/noc/

• Cooking Healthy Online Cookbook at: wwwEPHealth.org

Parks and Recreation Activities and Resources –  www.elpasotexas.gov/parks

• Free Childhood Obesity Prevention 5K Walk/Run-Saturday, September 28, 2013, 8:00 a.m. at the Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11620 Vista Del Sol Dr. Call Carlos Martinez at (915) 855-4147 for more information.
• Trailblazers Outdoor Recreation Program-October 1, to November 9, 2013 at the Don Haskins Recreation Center, 7400 High Ridge Dr. and Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave. Call (915) 544-0753 for more information and registration.
• After School Programs dealing with nutrition and exercise and parent awareness
• Leisure Service Classes promoting exercise and family interaction
• Sports Programs to ensure every child has a team to call their own no matter what their skill level
• Swimming is a great way to get cardiovascular exercise with limited impact on joints and also promoting actively for children to Learn to Swim

Other tips:

Get active outside — walk around your neighborhood, go on a bike ride, or play basketball at the park.

Limit TV and screen time — keep inactive (sitting down) screen time limited to 2 hours or less a day.

Make healthy meals — buy and serve more vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain foods.

Set a good example – Develop Healthy Habits – http://www.choosemyplate.gov/preschoolers/healthy-habits/set-a-good-example.html

Learn about Carbohydrates for Kids:  http://kidshealth.org/kid/nutrition/food/carb.html

Learn about Hunger and Malnutrition: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/hunger.html

The mission of the El Paso Department of Public Health is to work in partnership with people in our community to promote and protect the health of the borderland. For more information on the programs and services offered by the Department of Public Health, visit EPHealth.com or call 2-1-1.