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About Overweight and Obesity
Overweight and obesity in children are health concerns in Williamson County. Children who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk of being overweight or obese as adults. Factors that contribute to becoming overweight or obese include poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Nutrition and physical activity recommendations for children are:
Nutrition Recommendations:
- Grains – consume 6 oz. each day
- Vegetables – consume 2 ½ cups each day
- Fruit – consume 1 ½ cups each day
- Milk
- Children 2-8 consume 2 cups each day
- Children 8 and older consume 3 cups each day
- Meat & Beans – consume 5 oz. each day
- Fats, Sugars, and Salt – limit these
Physical Activity Recommendations:
- To be healthy – at least 60 minutes most days of the week
Statistics
Based on the 2005 Youth Activity Weight and Nutrition Survey:
- 36% of children are at risk for becoming overweight or are already overweight
- 53% of children are not getting enough physical activity daily
- 52% of children do not meet the recommendation for fruit consumption daily
- 59% of children do not meet the recommendation for vegetable consumption daily
Complications
Being overweight or obese in childhood can lead to other health complications in adulthood. These complications vary by individual but in general include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Poor health status
Health Education Programs
Williamson County & Cities Health District (WCCHD) offers health education programs through its Early Start for Healthy Living section, which targets children less than 18 years of age and their families. All programs are offered in English and Spanish, are free to the public, and are provided at various locations throughout the County. Current programs are:
Raising Healthy Families
Raising Healthy Families teaches parents and guardians of
children how to engage the entire family in eating healthy foods
and participating in physical activity. Leading healthy
lifestyles reduces the risk of becoming overweight and improves
overall health.
Classes meet once a week for six weeks. Each class is
approximately an hour and a half and includes activities on
nutrition and physical activity. Topics covered include:
- Obesity Prevention
- Reading Food Labels
- Going Grocery Shopping
- Preparing Meals at Home
- Understanding Portion Size vs. Serving Size
- Preparing Healthy Snacks and Meals
- Preparing Healthy Drinks
- Planning for Physical Activity
- Engaging the Entire Family
Upon completion of the program, participants receive a
certificate stating they have successfully completed the Raising
Healthy Families program. Childcare is not provided. However,
WCCHD is developing a children’s program that would be offered
simultaneously.
View the
Raising Healthy Families brochure.
Please contact the Health Educator for additional information or
to register for a series:
Melissa Cole, M.S.
512-248-3252
1-800-890-6296
Parents Helping Parents
Parents Helping Parents teaches parents and guardians the
knowledge and skills needed to develop strong family
relationships.
Classes meet once a week for eight weeks. Each class is
approximately an hour and a half. Classes are relaxed, informal,
and similar to support group sessions. Topics covered include:
- Health and Safety
- Child Development
- Child Guidance
- Family Management
- Personal Growth
Participants are organized into groups based on the age of their
child. Available groups are:
- Parents of Children 0-3 ( Designed for parents age 13-21 only)
- Parents of Children 0-3
- Parents of Children 3-12
- Parents of Children 13-19
Upon completion of the program, participants receive a
certificate stating they have successfully completed the Parents
Helping Parents program. Childcare is not provided. However,
WCCHD is developing a children’s program that would be offered
simultaneously.
View the
Parents Helping Parents brochure.
Please contact the Health Educator for additional information or
to register for a series:
Melissa Cole, M.S.
512-248-3252
1-800-890-6296
Children’s Health Festival
WCCHD hosts an annual Children’s Health Festival each spring. At this event, families learn about resources for underinsured and uninsured children, health, safety, good nutrition, and physical activity.
The sixth annual Children’s Health Festival was held March 2008. More than 1300 people attended and there were more than 45 exhibitors on hand to answer questions and distribute information.
For information about the 2009 Children’s Health Festival contact our
Community Health Educators at (512) 248-3252 or 1-800-890-6296.
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