By Mallory Shan, RD, LDN, Nutritionist

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in our country – one that puts this generation of children at greater risk of developing diseases that were once only seen in the elderly, such as sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. In addition, there is a greater problem of poor self-esteem and psychosocial development, which can play a role in limiting a child’s ability to be successful in school.

How is childhood obesity diagnosed? When your child visits the doctor during his or her annual check-up, the doctor will measure height and weight. Using those two numbers, your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) is then calculated. BMI that is equal or greater than 95 percentile is the obese category.

Here are some facts you may find shocking about childhood obesity (according to the Centers for Disease Control):

• In America:
  • About 17% of children from the age of 2 to 19 are obese.
  •  Hispanic youth are 1.6 times more likely than a Caucasian youth to become obese.
  • Non-Hispanic black youth are 1.4 times more likely than a Caucasian youth to become obese.
  • 6 in 10 children do not eat enough fruit daily. (Recommendation ranges from 1 to 2 cups daily depending on age and gender.)
  • 9 in 10 children do not eat enough vegetables daily. (Recommendation ranges from 1 to 3 cups daily depending on age and gender.
• In Massachusetts:
  • 46.3% of middle and high schools offer sugary drinks, resulting in 21% of our students drinking more than 1 soda a day.
  • Only 23% of youth meet aerobic activity guideline of exercising for 60 minutes daily.
  • Only 16.7% of youth have physical education in school.

This issue is even more magnified here in Roxbury, where the average obesity rate is already 8% higher than the rest of Boston! So what can we do with this problem? The good news is, childhood obesity can be prevented, and even reversed, by improving eating habits and increasing physical activity – two main lifestyle changes that have shown to be the most effective. There are many programs and resources in the Roxbury community that can help your family to kick start this process today!

• Improving your diet
  • Eat more vegetable and fruits!
    • Use your SNAP benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers markets to double your dollar values! (Example: Spend $10 of your EBT to get $20 worth of fruits and vegetables.) Below are nearby farmers markets:
      • Bowdoin-Geneva Farmers Market: 230 Bowdoin Street
      • Codman Square Farmers Market: 597 Washington Street
      • Dudley Common Farmers Market: Dudley St and Blue Hill Ave
      •  Fair Foods Program: Visit the following farmer vendors to get a large bag of fruits and vegetables for $2 dollars:
        • Tobin Community Center: 1481 Tremont Street
        • Whittier Street Apartments: 180 Ruggles Street
      • Enroll in WIC (Prenatal/Postpartum women and children ages 0-5 who are Mass Health Standard members and SNAP recipients are automatically eligible)
        • Receive nutrition counseling and monthly fruits and vegetable checks to spend at supermarkets.
• Provide only water and fat free or 1% milk at home
  • All sugar sweetened beverages such as soda, juice, and chocolate milk should be limited for children at home, as calories from these drinks are a major contributor for childhood obesity.
  • For children above the age of 2, only fat free or 1% milk should be offered (unless the child is underweight).

• Enroll your child in community nutrition programs in your area to increase exercise and nutrition education!
  • Whittier Street Health Center:
    • Race Around Roxbury: A free afterschool nutrition and exercise program for overweight, Whittier pediatric patients. Contact the pediatric department’s Race Around Roxbury line (617-989-3179) to register.
    • Zumba classes: A free exercise and nutrition education program for adults in the Roxbury community. You can bring older children if you both participate.  Contact Wellness Department (617-989-3111) to register.
  • Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures:
    • Open Gym Saturdays: Free family play time from 10:00am – 11:30am at BCYF Recreation Center at Madison Park.

Make living healthy and fighting obesity a family effort! And let us know your success stories!