Honey, we're killing the kids! Published June 26, 2012 By Kathy Viau 17th Training Wing Dietitian GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- -- FACT: One in every three children (31.7 percent) ages 2-19 is overweight or obese. FACT: One third of all children born in the year 2000 are expected to develop diabetes during their lifetime. FACT: The eating habits and lack of physical activity of today's children are moving this generation of children toward not outliving their parents.... FACT: Eight to 18-year old adolescents spend an average of 7.5 hours a day using entertainment media. In her letter to the President: "The Challenge We Face," Melody Barnes, Chair of the Task Force on Childhood Obesity and Director of the Domestic Policy Council, brings the childhood obesity problem closer to home. In her letter, Barnes states, "More than one quarter of all Americans ages 17-24 are unqualified for military service because they are too heavy." Childhood obesity is creating potential problems for military readiness. Two critical strategies that have been identified by President Barack Obama's Task Force are improving eating habits and increasing physical activity, strategies that can be started in your home. For Maj. Stephanie Nance, 17th Medical Group pediatrician, the problem of childhood obesity was one she could not ignore. Nance sought to tackle the issue with full force. "Combating childhood obesity has always been a passion of mine," she said. "As the sole pediatrician here, there is never enough time in the day. However, when I treated a seven year old whose blood pressure was higher than mine, a 10 year old with high cholesterol and a 12 year old who already had fatty liver, I knew I had to do something. These are our children." She said her goal is to make a difference in these children's lives and their futures. "Pediatricians are primary care providers," she added. "Our main purpose is to prevent disease. Overweight and obese children grow up to be overweight and obese adults. I thought if I could just take a small group of kids with a body mass index of more than 25, teach them good nutrition and exercise, I could make a difference." This is exactly what Nance, along with Kathy Viau, dietitian at the Health and Wellness Center, did. With the support of the wing, donations of time and resources from base support services and volunteers, Operation Overall Health emerged. Every day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. nine kids (and some of their parents) spent the day getting active and learning about eating healthy. "I really loved the boat ride today," said Haley, one of the children in the group. "Jumping in the lake was awesome. I will keep doing swimming and jogging thank you so much guys!" The classes also teach children better eating habits. "Loved the action it got me moving," said Bethany, one of the children in the group. "No more fast food for me." The parents were also motivated to change their life styles and provide good examples for their children. "The most fun was swimming," said Sherry, one of the parents. "We will now get a family pool pass and swim laps daily and no more fast food for us." The nutrition challenge and message for the week focused on eating whole foods. Whole food is the whole food as it is grown in nature with nothing added; it's the difference between corn on the cob and taco shells. Lunches the children brought were full of colorful fruits and vegetables and creative alternatives to the standard sandwich such as turkey and cheese lettuce wraps or shrimp and rice with vegetables. As many parents will attest, getting screen-hooked kids off the couch and outdoors is not an easy task. Yet it is a vital component of being healthy. "The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake," states First Lady Michelle Obama at the Lets Move! launch in February 2010. Everyone's involvement - parents, schools, health care professionals - and now our government - are key to ensuring a healthy future for our children. Goodfellow's School Age Program and the Youth Center Program both offer outlets for physical activity. The School Age Program is currently doing "GO FAR (Go Out For a Run)" running club and training program. GO FAR is a comprehensive fitness program that promotes healthy eating habits, physical activity, goal setting and good character. GO FAR progressively trains children over a ten-week period to safely complete a 3.1 mile, walk run event. The program has about 13 children working toward their running goal. Brian Stansbury, School Age Program Lead Child and Youth Program Assistant, is looking forward to the final run. "I have been very impressed with the dedication some of our kids have shown," said Stansbury. He noted some of the children have even taken the training program with them to do while on vacation. Goodfellow's Youth Center Program offers weekly camps geared toward being physically active. In July and August there will be flag football, tennis, archery, wild week and extreme camp. The extreme camp includes a trip to Dallas for zip line, paintball and Zero to Gravity. Omar Matos, Director of Youth Programs, said the activities do not end with summer. Throughout the year, the Youth Center also offers t-ball, baseball, 4-H clubs and boasts an indoor gym, pool table and computer games. "We do put a time limit on the screen games to make sure that the kids are being active and moving muscles other than their thumbs," said Matos. Outlets for physical activity on base are not limited to programs for kids. Through Outdoor Recreation, families may rent kayaks, a variety of watercrafts, from paddle boats to ski boats, swim at three base-supported pools or gather a group of friends for laser tag. The opportunities to get out and get active are around, sometimes it is simply a matter of knowing what is available. By making just a few lifestyle changes we can help our children live healthier. For more infomation on the GO FAR program call (325) 654-1751. Call (325)654-4705 for more information on the Youth Center Program.
