Growing Healthy Kids in Kentucky

Janet Tietyen, Ph.D., R.D., L.D. Assistant Professor, U of Kentucky Extension Specialist in Food & Nutrition

Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 120 Kentucky counties Agriculture & Natural Resources Family & Consumer Sciences 4H & Youth Development

The Clover Cat Way to Wellness -fall 2001 pilot test with 400 Clark County students -fall 2002 training for Kentucky Extension Agents -designed for use in classroom or 4-H Club -correlates to KERA core content & objectives -CATSkills: -Choose Healthy Foods -Activate Your Life -Take Time to Be Well

Our Growing Concerns Obesity in adults Overweight children – Why are children gaining weight? Community action plans

How do we define overweight children? Body mass index (BMI) is the most widely used approach to defining overweight in children. BMI assesses weight by using height and weight. Overweight = children at or above the 95 th percentile of BMI by sex and age At risk of being overweight = children between the 85 th and 94 th percentile of BMI

Should we be concerned about overweight children? From 1980 to 1999 Overweight children rose from 7% to 13% Overweight teenagers almost tripled from 5% to 14%

Consequences of Childhood Overweight May last into adulthood Increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood lipids, asthma, joint problems, and sleeping disorders Low self-esteem and poor body image

Comparison of Kentucky’s overweight children to the U.S?

Risk Factors for Overweight Skipping meals Eating high fat/high sugar “snack” foods Drinking sweetened beverages such as soft drinks Eating large, infrequent meals Constant snacking Eating fast food frequently Increased TV watching Decreased physical activity

Why are children gaining weight? Affordable/high-calorie foods Accessibility of food Lack of physical activity Limited access to opportunities for activity

Model for Influence Public Policy Institutes/Organizations Community Interpersonal Individual

Community Action Create a community which promotes physical activity Make healthy foods more accessible Have increased access to gyms, playgrounds, and walking trials

Civic Leaders Work with city planners and engineers to plan for sidewalks and bicycle paths Designate a place and promote a farmer’s market Increase the access for the use of public facilities Create a community coalition to address childhood overweight in your area

Community Health Educators Go to the schools and talk with students and teachers on ways to combat childhood overweight Have signs posted in your waiting and exam rooms promoting weight loss benefits and ways to increase physical activity

Site-Based Councils Set policies for what can and cannot be sold in schools Reevaluate the contracts between your district and soft drink industries Require schools to have daily physical activity Schools should have the equipment and supervision for children to meet physical activity needs Assess school’s eating & activity environment and make changes accordingly

School Administrators Promote healthier eating and physical activity in your school Have a Health Educator, Registered Dietitian, County Extension Agent or School Foodservice Director come to your faculty/staff meetings to bring unity on this issue Give students healthier options in the vending machines

Foodservice Directors Make healthy food options appealing Provide low-fat, low-calorie, and low- sugar food items Reduce access to high-fat, high- calorie, high-sugar foods, and excessive portion sizes Plan school menu with a group of parents and teachers

Teachers Have some form of movement in the health curriculum For bake sales/class parties, have parents bring healthy snacks Do not reward students with food or punish students by taking away recess Raise awareness to students and staff on the benefits of physical activity Have a health educator speak to students on ways to be more active

Parents Limit TV, movies, video and computer games for children to 1-2 hours per day Encourage child to be involved in organized sports, 4-H programs, outdoor activities, active playtime at home Enjoy regular exercise with the entire family Assign active chores to all family members Contact your school/school board know that you are concerned about food and physical activity at school

Parents Buy healthier snacks (like fruit and vegetables) Be a healthy role model for your children Buy only 100% fruit juice Eat meals together at the dinner table Avoid watching TV during mealtimes Limit fast food eating to no more than once per week Avoid using food as a reward or using the lack of food as a punishment

Children Try eating low-fat, low-sugar snacks Eat more fruits and vegetables Record what you eat for 2-3 days and compare it to the Food Guide Pyramid Be active for at least 60 minutes a day