We Can! Help Busy Parents

By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.

It's no secret that about 16 percent of U.S. children are overweight. In fact, this number has more than doubled in the past 30 years among children ages 2 to 5 and adolescents ages 12 to 19 and more than tripled among youth ages 6 to 11. This has also directly contributed to the dramatic increase of type-two diabetes in children as well as other health problems such as high blood pressure and the metabolic syndrome.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are collaborating to spread the word that We Can! help improve children's health. For more information visit: http://wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov or call toll-free 1-866-35-WE-CAN (1-866-359-3226).

We Can! ( Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition ) is a national program designed as a one-stop resource for parents and caregivers interested in practical tools to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at healthy weights. Parents and caregivers are the primary influences of this age group. We Can! provides tips and fun activities to parents, health care providers and community groups that focus on three critical behaviors: improved food choices, increased physical activity and reduced screen time. The program offers community groups and health professionals information to implement fun activities in communities around the country.

The We Can! Program is based on a review of science-based literature of ways to prevent overweight and obesity, as well as discussion with leading researchers, academics, health experts, dietitians, nutritionists and more.

We Can! Families Finding the Balance: A Parent's Handbook

Chapter 1. Why Should We Care about our Weight?

This chapter discusses the trends in obesity in 1990 and 2003. Obesity was climbing in 2003. Along with extra pounds comes the increased risk of heart disease, type-two diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, certain cancers and an assortment of other chronic conditions.

Chapter 2. What Can My Family and I Do to Encourage a Healthy Weight?

Strategies for creating family habits around smart eating and increasing physical activities are presented. Taking control of the TV on/off switch, making small activity changes and downsizing food portions slowly are strategies that can help win the battle against upsizing of America .

Chapter 3. Energy Balance: The Heart of the Matter

An explanation of energy balance and how this concept can be helpful in weight maintenance is presented in this chapter. In addition, a table with the estimated caloric requirements for different age groups is included. Numerous tips for balancing the energy equation are suggested. Some suggestions include choosing food portions no larger than your fist, going on a family bike ride or hike, drinking water instead of a 12-ounce regular soda (loss of 150 calories) or walking two miles in 30 minutes (loss of 150 calories by a 150-pound person).

Chapter 4. Energy IN: Focusing on Food Choices and Portion Size

Focus on the GO, SLOW and WHOA foods. GO foods are the lowest in fat and sugar. SLOW foods are higher in fat, added sugar and calories than GO foods. WHOA foods are the highest in fat and added sugar. The handbook provides a table that specifies the foods included in each group. Plus, the emphasis on food is to focus on portion size. Specific information on portions and serving size are discussed in this chapter.

Chapter 5. Energy OUT: Physical Activity and Screen Time

The benefits of physical activity are discussed. In addition, the amount of exercise is stressed as well as strategies for increasing activity such as how to get away from the screen, how to make screen time active time, how to make family time active time, how to be physically active in small chunks and how to kick activity up a notch.

Chapter 6. Resources

Internet resource and phone numbers are provided to help you get more information on how you and your family can maintain a healthy weight. Even the We Can! program is getting into the wristband tradition. Each We Can! wristband comes in sky blue and is stamped with the We Can! logo. They sell for $2 each.

Making the Commitment

To date, only 35 communities across the nation have committed to implement We Can! with parents and children in their regions. Considering the parent handbook is free and downloadable, the program's kickoff is extremely inexpensive. But, families need to be alerted to the fact that it's available. Hopefully, parents and caregivers will take the initiative to create a healthier environment for children and become instrumental in helping children in their care to make better food choices and get more active.

Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N., is the publisher and nutrition editor of KHF. She is the former sports nutrition consultant to the University of Louisville Athletic Department and the United States Navy SEALs. She is the author of Fast Facts on Fast Food For Fast People (ISBN 0-9631538-6-2) and High Energy Eating Sports Nutrition Workbook for Active People (ISBN 0-9631538-5-4). In addition, Barbara has a private practice specializing in sports nutrition and has a weekly health & fitness radio show on WKJK 1080 AM . She serves on the board of the Louisville Youth Training Center/Heuser Clinic, Mission Me and the Mayor's Healthy Hometown Movement Advisory Committee. She is a member of Fit Louisville , PE4Life and Coalition for a Healthy and Active America . She is a runner, cyclist and hiker.