Preventing Childhood Obesity: Act Local and Global

If it takes a village to raise a child, then it will also take a village to reverse the alarming explosion in childhood obesity rates -- 16.3 percent of kids ages 2 to 19 are obese today. There's ongoing research out there, like the Institute of Medicine's new report on 15 promising strategies local governments can take to fight childhood obesity. Parents are not in this fight alone.

But how does local policy relate to your own personal village inside the home? Here are at-home strategies to ponder, and how they might intertwine with local government policy.

Set A Far-Reaching, Right Example. Eating healthfully does not reside in a family vacuum. If you set the right example for your kids, that means that beyond the dinner table, you're also packing a healthy lunch, bringing healthy snacks for the soccer team and not feeding the Cub Scouts a pile of cookies after they've obviously eaten dinner and dessert at home. The constant empty carbohydrates and steady stream of sugar provided to children today needs to stop. Parents setting the right, healthy example can have wide-reaching effects on others. Same goes for government. They're experienced experts at improving children's health, and new policies to support healthy eating and exercise can make a marked difference for many.

Food and Motivation Shouldn't Mix. Stop rewarding and punishing kids with food. Keep food out of the equation. Experts have been recommending this for years. A hug, Band-Aids, a good cuddle with a book or setting up a special family adventure together are wonderful rewards. Don't take away treats as payment for poor behavior. Healthy food is all about fueling the body, satisfying hunger, gathering together as a family. Ask your schools to stop the pizza parties and treats as rewards.




Buy Local. If your local government is offering a farmers market, a community garden and farm stands, be a loyal patron. Ask your local farmers to accept vouchers for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. I witnessed the power of this type of program in Florida and couldn't believe the number of people redeeming WIC vouchers for fresh foods. Build relationships with your local growers and support local government policies that facilitate delivery of their fare.

Advocacy. This is where parents put on their citizen hat. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says individuals and families can truly help. The IOM's new report listed a host of promising strategies that could really use your advocacy -- establish or join a community policing effort to help keep your streets, parks and neighborhoods safer. Hold a petition drive to build an urban supermarket in a high-need area. Demand menu labeling in chain restaurants. Help raise money to build or improve a park.

Fit Family Assignment: Sit down and enjoy a healthy family dinner together at least four times a week. Pack a healthy lunch and rethink the snacks you provide to groups of kids. Start setting that right example right now.