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March is National Nutrition Month
The Putnam County Department of Health would like to encourage Putnam County residents, particularly children, to eat healthier and become more active. In the era of fast food, TV and computer games, it is clear that parents must be as concerned with poor nutrition and lack of physical activity as they are with other health risks to their children.
Today, more children in New York State are overweight, and they appear to be more overweight than in the past. Many young people consume too many calories and engage in too little physical activity, resulting in an overweight generation that will face increased health risks as adults. Overweight children are at greater risk of diabetes and other serious health problems. Children, who are not encouraged to be physically active and make healthy nutritional choices, grow up to become adults who are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other life-threatening diseases. Aside from health problems, overweight and obesity can lead to poor self-image, insecurity and learning problems in schools.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently introduced a new MyPyramid for Kids as a fun approach to addressing the very serious problem of childhood obesity. You can find MyPyramid for Kids at www. m y p y r a m i d . g o v. MyPyramid for Kids provides age-appropriate information about the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPryamd Food Guidance System of the USDA.
MyPyramid for Kids reminds children to be physically active every day, or most days, and to make healthy food choices. Every part of the pyramid has a message for children. They represent the recommended proportion of food from each of six food groups of grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk, and meat and beans. Daily physical activity is prominent. Through an interactive game, lesson plans, colorful posters and flyers, worksheets and tips for families, MyPyramid for Kids encourages children, teachers and parents to work together to make healthier food choices and be active every day. Another effort to increase children's activity level is the Activ8Kids! initiative launched in New York State. Activ8Kids! has the goal of instilling in children before the age of eight daily habits that include: eating at least five servings of vegetables and fruit; engaging in at least one hour of physical activity; and reducing time spent in front of the television or computer to fewer than two hours.
Activ8Kids! messages and goals are being incorporated into many New York State Department of Health programs reaching out to school staff, physicians, health care providers, childcare providers, children and parents. The Putnam County Department of Health has applied for Activ8Kids! grant funds and is awaiting to be informed if funds will be awarded. Parents and guardians can help young people adopt healthy lifestyles by encouraging them to follow the MyPyramid for Kids key messages.
The Putnam County Health Department recommends the following tips to parents and guardians: ·Be good role models for physical activity and healthful food choices. ·Replace sugary, high-calorie snacks with fat-free yogurt, real fruit juice or tasty fruit and vegetable sticks. ·Serve fat-free or onepercent milk, instead of whole milk. ·Set limits on the amount of time your children spend watching television and playing video games. For more information on healthy lifestyles, including eating better and becoming more active, please visit http:// www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/ nutrition/.
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