NFL Players Give Back January 21, 2009
Posted by melmont in children's obesity.Tags: children's obesity, NFL, NFL Play60, Steelers
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Over the past 8 or so months, I’ve become something of a football fan. It’s hard not to be in my house, with two men (my boyfriend and our roommate) constantly controlling the remote all weekend. We were all watching the Steelers this weekend when I saw a promotion for NFL Play 60, a “national youth health and fitness campaign focused on increasing the wellness of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.”
This program is a refreshing look inside the NFL and a stark contrast to the ridiculous celebratory end zone dancing, dirty fouls and general testosterone-driven debauchery on the football field. I am a fan of the “Did You Know” section, which offers up a few surprising tidbits of information that may just get you off the computer and outside. Better yet, take your kids with you, as childhood obesity now affects 1 out of 3 children in the U.S. That’s a huge and scary number. Once you’ve had your 60 minutes of activity, take some time to look at what NFL Play 60 is doing with the community. There is a Super Bowl contest, a Kids’ Day at The NFL Experience, school visits and festivals.
NFL Play 60 has partnered with some impressive names, such as The American Heart Association, Nike and The United Way, among others. Donations are taken through the site.
New Websites to Check Out December 31, 2008
Posted by melmont in Uncategorized.Tags: diets, healthy fast food, Yum Brands
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I went MIA last week to enjoy my Christmas vacation. I come back, and there’s so much that I want to share with you!
Check out these two websites that I’ve come across, and let me know what you think:
I don’t really approve of “dieting”, but most of these sound like they focus on a lifestyle change. Have you tried any of these? If so, what did you think?
Healthier fast food options. While I would say that fast food is never a great choice, there does come a time when we’re stressed, busy and out of alternatives. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that there are healthier options at the drive through?
Tax on Obesity? December 19, 2008
Posted by melmont in current events.Tags: David Paterson, obesity tax, soda
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That’s what the governor of New York is proposing. See his argument here.
My first inclination was to be appalled and offended. After reading through his argument, however, I see that he makes some good points. I don’t know about the feasibility of taxing sugary soft drinks, although their inclusion in one’s diet can make weight gain almost inevitable. I do support the idea of putting extra money generated by the tax toward public health programs. There is a desperate need for educational programs to teach people how to take care of themselves. We can ban, tax and regulate everything under the sun, but until we inform people, we’ll never solve the problem. We’ll only treat the symptoms.
What do you think?
Biggest Loser Phenomenon December 18, 2008
Posted by melmont in Uncategorized.2 comments
I will admit it. I really like The Biggest Loser. When I first heard about the concept years ago, I was a little put off. Why subject people who have such obvious body issues to a very public weight loss? Why exploit a real health issue for entertainment’s sake?
Then, one night I was bored, and it was on. All of my prejudices flew out the window. After that hour, I was inspired, impressed and enlightened. I’ve tuned in to several seasons off and on, and my favorite part is the end of the show when you see the drastic changes. You can tell that the weight gain (and subsequent loss) is about so much more than an uncontrollable food habit. Not only that, but the trainers really seem to incorporate a nutritional element in there, in addition to the hours of exercise that the teams endure.
I bring this up because the Biggest Loser finale was last night. You can see all of the contestants’ before and after shots, as well as read about the winner (or…loser? sorry, I couldn’t resist) here. Tell me–have you watched the Biggest Loser? If so, what do you think?
Summer Camp in December? December 5, 2008
Posted by melmont in children's obesity.Tags: Blast Wellness, Camp Shining Stars, children's obesity, exercise, fitness, Healthy Children Foundation, Ira Green, weight loss
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I mentioned in my first post that I had previously worked at a weight loss camp. I wanted to take the time to share that experience with you, as the director has moved on to other great healthy lifestyle programs for kids.
Ever since watching MTV’s I’m at Fat Camp, part of the True Life series, I wanted to become a counselor at a weight loss camp. In the summer of 2004, I got my chance, working at Camp Timber Creek. It was one of the hardest, most demanding jobs I’ve ever had. I was a direct counselor over girls ages 10-12, but I also acted as a lifeguard and presided over free time activities in the evenings. I had prepared myself for the physical aspect of it—working long, hot summer days, cheering kids on and joining in on sports games that I had no idea how to play.
What I didn’t prepare for were the emotional side effects of obesity, especially with children who are already at a fragile age in the development cycle. One of the most common answers I got when I asked girls what was wrong or if I could help was, “You wouldn’t understand. You’ve never been fat.” What I tried to come back with was, “Well, that’s true. But I have understood what it’s like to be sad, angry, hopeless, confused and picked on. I can help if you’ll let me.” Sometimes it worked, other times, the solution was to stop pushing and just be there when I was needed.
I think what made that job so hard was the constant emotion that was running through the camp. There was a continuous roller coaster of feelings ranging from excitement to downright frustration. At the same time, it was so extremely rewarding to watch the kids complete a mile run for the first time, to compare weight loss during weigh-in and to vow to never put the weight on again. The oldest boy in the camp during my summer was 17 and was too overweight to join the armed forces, which was a dream of his. At the end of the summer, he was the male camper with the largest amount of weight loss. I never heard whether or not he joined the armed forces, but I hope that he followed every single one of his dreams.
Camp Timber Creek was founded by Ira Green and is now Camp Shining Stars. Ira is now heading up several other weight loss programs for kids. He has truly dedicated his life to helping children learn how to live healthy lifestyles. Ira is also the founder of Blast Wellness, a fitness facility for kids in Durham, NC, and the Healthy Children Foundation, which focuses on education and support for overweight children.
If your child is struggling with weight issues, and you’re looking for a summer camp, I suggest taking a look at Ira’s programs. If you’re in the Durham area, stop by Blast Wellness. Tell Ira I said hi!
Forget the marketing. Where are the parents? November 21, 2008
Posted by melmont in current events.Tags: advertising, Burger King, McDonalds, National Institutes of Health, obesity, Wendy's
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The National Institutes of Health says that fast food advertising should be banned when directed at children. This would cut obesity rates by 18%.
Why is the advertising world responsible for what children eat? Yes, fast food advertisements make the food look fresh, juicy and delicious (although I’ve never actually had a burger and fries that ever looked as good as the commercials), and kids’ meals come with toys and games. But do the advertisers drive the kids to the restaurant? Do they pay for the food that kids consume? Do they feed them this meal instead of fruits, veggies, and lean meat?
The answer to all of these questions is no. Parents are the gatekeepers of family eating habits and consumption. Parents are there to instill good eating practices and active lifestyles. The media has been accused of increasing sexual activity among teens, of glamorizing cigarette smoking, and now this.
It’s not like it’s a huge secret that fast food isn’t good for you. McDonalds puts their nutrition information on food wrappers; Burger King offers nutrition information on their website; and so does Wendy’s.
I could go on and on, but I have a headache, and I have to wrestle the remote out of my boyfriend’s hand before I have to watch another sports show. My point is, we know that fast food is not good for us, even if the nutrition information isn’t so readily available. Advertising does not trump parenting; it doesn’t give you an excuse to feign ignorance and pretend like something fried in grease and doused with salt isn’t bad for you or your kids. The fight against obesity starts with good education, good eating habits, and good exercise options–all of which are available regardless of whether fast food companies advertise to your children.
Penalty for obesity? November 15, 2008
Posted by melmont in current events.Tags: Alabama, BMI, high blood pressure, insurance penalty, obesity
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I’m a little late jumping on this train, but I wanted to highlight this story because it raises some interesting questions.
It seems that Alabama will be charging state employees more for health insurance if they don’t lose weight. Here’s the quick rundown–starting in 2009, those employed with the state will have to undergo a health screening, which, among other things will measure BMI. Those who are considered obese will have a year to lose weight or face a $25 increase in monthly insurance costs.
Deborah Unger, RN, clinical director for the Alabama State Employees Insurance Board, claims that this penalty is in place to help people become more aware of the effects of obesity and to make people do something to live a healthier life. Supporters say that since obesity leads to higher health care costs, then those costs should be passed on to those who use need the extra care. People who oppose the extra costs point out several reasons against the penalty:
*Negative punishment should not be employed as a motivation for people to lose weight;
*Some people have a pre-disposition to weight gain through genetics;
*Obesity is viewed as preventable, therefore leading to an unsympathetic public in those who do not suffer from it.
Whatever your views, here are the facts:
*Alabama has the second highest obesity rate in the country;
*Obesity causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes, and a host of other health issues, which do lead to higher health care costs
*According to a recent survey taken by the National Opinion Research Center, 80% of employees, regardless of weight or health conditions, believe that health and wellness programs should be supported by employers.
Now, I will not share a solid opinion of whether or not this extra fee belongs in place, but I will say this–I’ve worked with children who have weight issues. Sometimes, it’s not just the weight that is the problem, which is why a monetary penalty that is seemingly a form of negative reinforcement, is troubling. Sometimes there is so much more behind the weight–low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, fear of losing weight–that contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle. I personally love working out and watching what it does for my body, but there are others out there who are comfortable hiding behind weight issues to avoid dealing with a troubling childhood episode, or because they would rather be unattractive than be checked out by an adoring public. While forcing the extra health care costs on those who will use it may solve a logistical problem, it may cover up the causes of obesity. This is just something that should be kept in mind by those who make these decisions.
Better holiday cooking November 13, 2008
Posted by melmont in healthy alternatives.Tags: Christmas, exercise, healthy eating, holiday cooking, Thanksgiving
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I love the holidays. I love tacky decorations, store promotions, good food, family, friends, music…I could go on and on. But I also know that the holidays can be murder on your willpower when it comes to food. I mean, we all have our traditional family recipes that are only broken out once a year, and it is so tempting to indulge.
But…
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative this holiday season, check out these websites. They offer healthier versions of holiday favorites and workout tips. Take a look, and if there are any that I’m missing, let me know!
If you do decide to indulge in those holiday treats, it’s not the end of the world. Take a walk, play a game of tag football in the backyard, treat your dog to a trip to the dog park, anything to burn some calories. And when you’re eating, pay attention to portions. I promise, everything will taste better when you’re not forcing it to stay down.
Happy holidays!!
Is your kindergartener on a diet? November 7, 2008
Posted by melmont in children's obesity.Tags: children's obesity, clinic programs, David Ludwig, Rainbow Babies, weight loss
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I recently spent 7 hours traveling from Montana to Tennessee, so imagine my delight when I found an abandoned People magazine on my last flight of the day. Inside, I found an intriguing article entitled, “The Kindergarten Diet”, which discusses the growing trend of putting kids as young as 5 years old on a diet.
Many aspects of this article intrigued me; some concerned me, such as the following statement:
“Some doctors are beginning to put children on diets if their body mass index…hits the 95th percentile or above, even if they’re as young as 2.”
Children are being put on diets at age 2? I know that preventing obesity is easier than treating it, but my concern here is not the physical and medical aspect of an early diet; it’s the mental and emotional repercussions that result from putting a child on a weight loss program at such a young age.
Some child weight loss programs are listed in the article, including David Ludwig’s Optimal Weight for Life Clinic in Boston, and the Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. I checked out both websites, and I like their operating philosophies. Dr. Ludwig’s initial consultation includes a discussion of why the child might be overweight, the implications of obesity and a personalized treatment plan. Nutritional counseling and behavior modification are included as well.
While I couldn’t find any program entitled “weight loss” or “obesity” on the Rainbow Hospital website, I did find a nutrition section. They also have an endocrinology department.
Both of these treatment options presented in the article seem to focus on lifestyle changes and healthy living, as opposed to dieting. I think that’s an appropriate approach, especially for children who are still growing into their bodies, who still must make it through the changes that come with puberty, and who have to eventually learn how to provide a healthy lifestyle for themselves. It’s up to the parents to make sure your child doesn’t see changes in his or her diet as a punishment for being overweight, and to make it understood that it isn’t about looks, but about health and wellness. Most of all, start with proper nutrition and diet control as your child starts eating solid foods. Make sure they get enough exercise and don’t stay in front of the television and computer. Not only will they get enough activity, but they might also find other interests, such as sports and volunteering, that will keep them engaged for years to come.
For those of who you would like to read the People magazine article, it is in the November 3, 2008 edition of the magazine.
