September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! Get active, stay strong!
One in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. But… the good news is that childhood obesity can be prevented. In honor of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, AAASP encourages families to make healthy changes together.
Adults with disability are 3x more likely to have a serious chronic disease.
Nearly half of all adults with disability (50%) get no aerobic physical activity.
Obesity rates for adults with disability are 58% higher than for adults without disability.
Obesity rates for children with disability are 38% higher than for children without disability.
Physical activity is 4x lower for children and youth with disability than their peers without disability.
These facts and many more affect the 56 million Americans living with disability, a substantial (20%) portion of the population.
Here are several ways you can make healthy changes together!
• Get active outside: Walk around the neighborhood, go on a bike ride, or play basketball at the park.
• Limit screen time: Keep screen time (time spent on the computer, watching TV, or playing video games) to 2 hours or less a day.
• Make healthy meals: Buy and serve more vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain foods.
Taking small steps as a family can help your child stay at a healthy weight.
For more information, visit https://healthfinder.gov/
- Here are some articles to check out:
PROMOTING PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY IN SPORTS: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/5/1057.full
HEALTHY MEALS/SNACKS: https://healthymeals.fns.usda.gov/nutrition-education/cooking-kids.
BE ACTIVE 60 MINS A DAY: http://1.usa.gov/3wnZMl
MAKE A FAMILY FITNESS PLAN: http://1.usa.gov/bg6vTr
MORE RESOURCES: https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/index.html