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Children are the Future by Roy Walker III

Have you seen what's happening to our children these days? If you have been paying any attention at all you will notice that many of our children in the African American community are significantly overweight. I have witnessed 15 year old girls who weigh 280 lbs and boys that are so overweight they walk with a swayed limp to propel their body forward. According to the WHO, an estimated 17.6 million children under five (one in 10 children) are estimated to be overweight. The average weight for a 10-year old boy in 1963 was 74.2 pounds; by 2002 the average weight was nearly 85 pounds . The average weight of a 10-year old girl in 1963 was 77.4 pounds; by 2002, the average weight was nearly 88 pounds. This increased incidence of childhood obesity has nothing to do with genetics. It is due to many controllable factors such as diet and inactivity. In fact, most of them have eaten their way there. Our children don't play outside anymore. Mothers have a higher likelihood of settling for the convenience of fast food dinners vs. regularly preparing well-balanced meals. Although it may seem to be insignificant now, overweight children are almost guaranteed to be overweight as adults. If we do not do something about childhood obesity now, it may result in serious repercussions for the future health of the African American community. Obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and stroke; diabetes; and cancer of the breast, colon and prostate. . Childhood obesity will keep our children from living the "American dream" and having the life that they deserve!
U.S. overweight and obesity prevalence occur at higher rates in Black and Mexican American ethnic groups compared to Whites (Table 1). The high incidence of childhood obesity in the minority racial/ethnic group directly correlates to the high incidence during adulthood of the same groups. Therefore we, the parents, guardians, family members, and friends of our overweight children are a good starting point to addressing the problem.
Increase in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence Among U.S. Adults* by Racial / Ethnic Group Overweight (BMI > 25) Prevalence (%) Obesity (BMI > 30) Prevalence (%) Racial / Ethnic Group 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 1988 to 1994 1999 to 2000 Black (non-Hispanic) 62.5 69.6 30.2 39.9 Mexican American 67.4 73.4 28.4 34.4 White (non-Hispanic) 52.6 62.3 21.2 28.7 Source: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Flegal et. al. JAMA. 2002; 288:1723-7 and IJO. 1998;22:39-47. *Ages 20 and older for 1999 to 2000 and ages 20 to 74 for 1988 to 1994.

Table 1

We must look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "Am I overweight? Am I exercising like I should be? Am I really eating healthy?" We cannot have the expectation that our children are healthy if we ourselves do not live a healthy existence. Addressing childhood obesity will require a multi-dimensional approach. First, we must educate our children on what obesity is and the negative impact it can have on their lives. Second we must create environments for our children that are conducive to healthy and active lifestyles. Finally, we need to develop a community-wide action plan that supports everyone's effort to combat this epidemic.
The majority of our youth do not understand what obesity is. They may identify with being "fat" or "overweight", but may not truly understand the science or the severe implications. Educational materials on obesity need to be distributed in schools and provided to parents so that the conversations are taking place in the home and at school. Unfortunately music videos perpetuate, a sense of "coolness" with being "thick" When did being big and overweight become cool? I have freshman girls in high school now that tell me they don't want to exercise or lose weight because they don't want to lose their booty. Some of our most popular actors and comedians justify being overweight as if it's our rites of passage as an African American. While I am a big proponent of being proud of who we are as we are, there has to be a sense of responsibility for the messages we promote being for the greater good of the community. Our children have to understand that obesity and being overweight is not cool, in fact it can lead to an early death sentence.
Many of our dietary behaviors serve to satisfy immediate gratification rather than really putting time and effort to be conscientious about what we eat. Our "soul food" is oftentimes laden with saturated fats, too much processed sugar, and there is not one ounce of conscience when we buy or consume it. It is imperative that parents get in the habit of preparing well -balanced meals for their children throughout the week. Consumption of away-from-home foods comprised 20 percent of children's total caloric intake in 1977, rising to 32 percent by 1996. We have gotten away from fresh vegetables and fruits being staples in our diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables need to line our refrigerators instead of chips, cookies, and sugary juice drinks. If children can go the entire week with the servings of vegetables on one or two hands, they didn't have nearly enough. Our children consume too many sugary drinks. Schools and parents need to encourage our children to drink 64 oz. of water a day so that it will not be such an obstacle for them as an adult, combating the 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Moreover, dehydration leads a person to believe that they are hungry when really they are thirsty.
Physical inactivity in our children's lives is another controllable factor. Our children aren't playing outside like they used to. Starting in adolescence, girl's physical activity declines 7.4 percent per year, while boys' activity decreases 2.7 percent per year. When was the last time you saw a group of girls playing double dutch, or boys in the park playing softball. Nowadays kids are preoccupied playing Playstations and Xboxes and eating junk food while playing the video game. Parents need to promote and encourage their children to participate in sports and recreation. Sometimes that means the parents attending practices and games. Moreover, it sends the message that we love and care about the well -being and success of our children. If you try to suggest your kids to go outside and play two problems come into mind: where and with whom? There aren't enough safe places for our children to play. Unfortunately, many of the communities that are children are raised in do not have parks and bike trails or well lit streets. However, we can leverage our collective power to ensure those things are put in place.
An old African proverb states it takes a village to raise a child. Well, the societal problem of childhood obesity is going to take the entire community to solve it. Hopefully, showing a little love for our own health and well being, will translate to the improved health and well being of our children. Childhood obesity does not have to be an issue we will continue to talk about. Let's position our children to ensure that they lead healthy, successful, and fulfilling lives!

About the Author

Roy Walker is an exercise physiologist dedicated to improving lives of individuals by using fitness as a tool to induce positive lifestyle change. He passionately works with community organiztions churches and schools to produce fitness programming tailored to the organizations needs. An avid exercise, Roy emphasizes the fitness and exercise should be fun, and creates ways for groups small and large to engage in exercise that is innovative, ins

Children are the Future by Roy Walker III

About the Author