CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS

September is National Childhood Obesity Month and is the time dedicated to educating children and their families on preventing childhood obesity. According to the World Health Organization, childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges. Worldwide, obesity has nearly tripled since 1974, and in 2020, almost 39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health and are mainly associated with unhealthy eating and low physical activity levels. However, the problem impacts whole communities and is linked to how the environment guides our ability to make healthy choices. Significant environmental factors that cause childhood obesity include:

• Lack of government regulation on the amount of fat, sugar, and salt used to make ultra-processed foods.

• Lack of nutritious foods available in grocery stores and fast-food restaurants.

• Increased prices of fruits and vegetables.

• Aggressive marketing of foods high in sugars, salt, and fats, especially those foods aimed at children and teenagers.

• Lifestyles that require prolonged sitting with little to no movement (video games, sitting at the computer, and watching TV.)

Childhood obesity puts youth at risk for a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. Furthermore, due to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Expert Public Health Professionals at the World Health Organization recognize childhood obesity as a societal problem that demands population-based culturally relevant interventions.

At Jemez Public Health, we are tackling childhood obesity through culturally relevant system changes and community programming collaborations. We recognize that the only way we can prevent and reverse childhood obesity on a community level is by working together. The system changes include securing a food pantry for the After-School Program, investing in the Food Sovereignty Program to have hydroponic gardens to serve fresh green vegetables all year round, and in collaboration with Community Wellness, implementing the Walatowa Trail Club beginning mid-October. Stay tuned for details as we gear up our programming to secure the availability of nutritious foods for our youth and teach them culturally relevant life skills related to nutrition so they can navigate their

environment and achieve good health.

We want to offer a sample of one of the many skills we aim to teach the youth this year. Look at the infographic below to learn how to reduce your child's sugar intake, which is critical in managing a healthy weight. If you want to learn more about the power of good nutrition and obesity prevention, please call Jemez Public Health to schedule a free consultation with our Registered Dietician, Debra Tousley at 575-834-7207.