Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2011 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. I encourage all Americans to take action by learning about and engaging in activities that promote healthy eating and greater physical activity by all our Nation's children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA

So its ok if you haven't been doing you part this whole month, but the month isn't over and we still have time to make a difference.

Childhood Obesity is NOT OK!



First off, lets get a little educated on whats going on.

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.

The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.

In 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.

Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors. Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.

Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Kids: 'They're not going to outlive their parents'



You get the picture, now what can we do to help these poor kids!


For starters, if you are a parent BE A PARENT. To quote a rapper I like "If your a parent, then be a parent, get off the couch and go raise your son." - Chamillionare
With every war, we need a general. A leader who will deliver us from our enemy. Parents, you are you children's greatest hope! The best way to lead is by example. So quit making excuses, your kiddos hear you complain and they will become that. Get outside and Do Life.
Next tip, just turning off social media more often. TV, Computer, radio, mp3 players, cell phones, all that. If you just start off spending more time interacting you will create building blocks for a better life. A healthier, happier, LONGER life with your kids. Play games, do a craft, fix something together. You don't need to start off with working out to fix the problem.
Back to turning off the TV, advertising, when kids are watching TV the evil (oh yes I am calling them evil) corporate fast food companies spend money and do research to specifically target your children.

'They can't resist, they are kids! They need your guidance as an adult to know what is right from wrong, good from bad. I suggest you meet with a professional and do research of your own so you can show them the difference.
The last thing I'm going to say is SEEK HELP like with any addiction you need to admit their is a problem and take steps to fix them! Do some research and see what local help you can receive. It takes a village, its going to take every ones involvement to bring these numbers down.

If you thin and have thin kids, congratulations. You can help too, volunteer to help educate kids and organize neighborhood activities that get the community moving!

Leave your creative ideas in the comments so we can all share ideas of how to help out our kiddos and ourselves.