Snacking Children = Obese Children

by Sanapura
According to this recent Reuters article, Kids are moving towards constantly snacking.  As children represent the future - this is a disaster:


-"U.S. children eat an average three snacks a day on top of three regular meals, a finding that could explain why the childhood obesity rate has risen to more than 16 percent, researchers said on Tuesday."
-"More than 27 percent of calories that American kids take in come from snacks"
-"Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wrote a commentary calling for taxes on sugary drinks and junk food, zoning restrictions on fast-food outlets around schools and bans on advertising unhealthy food to children."


The first lady, Michelle Obama has become a vocal advocate on this matter:


-"Parents, educators and policymakers all hold responsibility for this, Michelle Obama told the School Nutrition Association conference in Washington on Monday. The administration has launched an initiative to tackle the issue by improving nutritional standards, getting food companies to voluntarily improve nutrition standards, help kids exercise more and educating parents."


I am happy to see she talks about all the parties involved in this problem:  
Parents:  When many parents are overweight and have bad habits it is very hard to expect they will teach their children to eat healthy. 
Educators:  Based on my experiences and all I have read, health education in most schools is totally lacking.  
Policymakers:  While there is talk of sugar or unhealthy tax it is unlikely - consider the power of the food industry and how ingrained soda, snacks and many other unhealthy foods are in our society.  Even then, where do the taxes stop, after all you don't need to eat sweats to become heavy.  Will there be an inactivity tax?  What is possible to regulate?
Companies: A lifelong customer is the holy grail of marketing.  The earlier on a child sets his/her habits, the more profits the companies stand to make.  Packaged and processed foods have a much higher profit margin than fresh/healthy snacks which food companies can not control.


However, not all hope is lost.  Consider the success of anti-smoking initiatives including taxes, education and cultural changes.  Smoking rates are at an all time low in America at 20%, still too high, but the tide has turned.  Smoking is banned in restaurants, smokers are forced to stand outside in the cold and the sentiment about smoking has shifted.  Similar strategies need to be employed for the obesity epidemic.  It requires a huge integrated approach with a specific focus on culture change.  Below is one good example: celebrity chef Jaime Oliver offers an impassioned plea to stop the growing obesity epidemic. He provides context to the situation, discusses the many risks, offers suggestions and asks for help.  (For more information on improving your health visit Sanapura's Health Guide)