Childhood Obesity and Nutritional Awareness in the State of New Jersey: Sixth Grade

1. Childhood Obesity and Nutritional Awareness in the State of New Jersey:Sixth Grade Besa Luty, Ph.D. student Walden University Instructor: Dr. Raymond Thron

2. New Jersey, also known as the garden state has 21counties.

3. Content of Discussion • Define Obesity and Its Effects • Environmental Health/Obesity • Basic Nutrition Facts • Goals and Strategies • Reference

4. Define Obesity • Obesity occurs when more calories are consumed than burned, resulting in excessive body fat. Example: 200 extra calories per day can add 20 lbs. per year onto your weight. • The prevalence of obesity is commonly assessed using body mass index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. • State of New Jersey Obesity Brief

5. Define Obesity • Individuals are classified as underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2), according to a criterion developed by the World Health Organization and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

6. Define Childhood Obesity in New Jersey • New Jersey (NJ) recognizes obesity as an epidemic concern amongst children and adults • According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 15% of children 6-11, and 12-19, are obese. • 60% of NJ sixth graders are of normal weight, 20% obese,18% overweight and 2% underweight. • Obesity Prevention PDF

7. BMI for Age Tables

8. Charts: Indicating obesity by gender • http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/documents/obesity_prevention.pdf

9. Effects of Childhood Obesity • High Blood pressure- defined as blood pressure above 140/90 • Diabetes- with blood glucose above 100 mg/dl • Stroke-occurs in absence of oxygen to the brain, resulting in paralysis and possible death • High Cholesterol-defined as above 240 mg/dl • High-cholesterol overview

10. What does cholesterol mean? • cho·les·ter·ol  (k-lst-rôl, -rl) n. A white crystalline substance, C27H45OH, found in animal tissues and various foods, that is normally synthesized by the liver and is important as a constituent of cell membranes and a precursor to steroid hormones. Its level in the bloodstream can influence the pathogenesis of certain conditions, such as the development of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary artery disease. Company, H. M. (2009). • The American Heritage Dictionary. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

11. Treatment to Lower Cholesterol • Fewer than 7% of daily total calories should come from saturated fat. • No more than 25-35% of total daily calories should come from any type of fat. • Daily intake of cholesterol should be no more than 200 mg. (In 2007, the average American man ate 337 mg of cholesterol daily and the average woman ate 217 mg daily.) • Increase the amount of fiber by consuming; whole grains, lentils, beans, fruits and vegetables, lowering the amount of red meat. • High Cholesterol Overview

12. Effects of Childhood Obesity • Limiting physical activity-one extra pound puts four pounds of pressure on knee joints • Difficulty with sleep-sleep apnea • Limiting social functions Franklin Institute - Brain and Carbs

13. Effects of Childhood Obesity (cont.) • Possible interference with academic progress-excess consumption of glucose causes a sharp rise and fall of energy. The brain requires a steady amount of glucose to function, any change will result in difficulty in concentration. • A tired brain • Franklin Institute - Brain and Carbs

14. Why a Tired Brain • Too Much Blood Sugar – Too Little Brain Sugar A sugary snack or soft drink that quickly raises your blood sugar level gives you a boost (and any caffeine adds to the lift), but it's short-lived. When you eat something with a high sugar content your pancreas starts to secrete insulin. Insulin triggers cells throughout your body to pull the excess glucose out of your bloodstream and store it for later use. • Franklin Institute - Brain power

15. Continued: A Tired Brain • Soon, the glucose available to your brain has dropped. Neurons, unable to store glucose, experience an energy crisis. Hours later, you feel spaced-out, weak, confused, and/or nervous. Your ability to focus and think suffers. The name for this glucose deficiency is hypoglycemia , and it can even lead to unconsciousness. • Franklin Institute Online - Brainpower

16. Environment/Obesity • How does your environment play role in obesity and overweight? • What is your community like? • Urban communities- social realities: lack of proper sidewalks, streetlights, parks, high traffic (Lopez, R. H., 2006). • Suburban communities- lack of proper sidewalks, limited streetlights, parks, isolation, traffic lights (Lopez, R. H., 2006).

17. Environmental Health/Obesity Goals • School based intervention-school lunches • To make changes in school lunches, with more fruits, green vegetables, water and less juice. • Sedentary life style-Start moving! • More gym during school hours • Get moving after school hours. • Toxic environment-Food quality, policy, and advertising (Ebbeling, C. P., 2002). • There are 170 000 fast food restaurants in the USA alone (Ebbeling, C. P., 2002).

18. Environmental Health/Obesity Goals • Barriers to change- • Special interest groups (Ebbeling, C. P., 2002). • Companies who stand to gain by selling density rich foods • Attitudes-Public and Private sector • Underfunded school districts- • Allowed to have vending machine to supplement (Ebbeling, C. P., 2002). • Can sell density rich foods

19. How to weigh and eat healthy • To work in partnership with parents and community to; • Be physically active every day- at least 60 minutes everyday. Example: The Greenery of Harlem (Lopez, R.H., 2006) • Examples include jogging, walking, swimming, jump rope, organized aerobics, weight lifting, bicycle riding, and using exercising bands. • Eat nutritious foods-low density foods, variety of foods, limiting fried foods

20. How to weigh and eat healthy • Help a friend make good nutritious choices. • Limit the amount of television and sedentary activities • Learn portion control • Eat a variety of colorful foods • Learning about calories: For Kids: http://kidshealth.org/kid/nutrition/food/calorie.html • Calorie Counter can be found here

21. Learning about calories • Is Dieting OK for Kids? • Be a Fit Kid • Body Mass Index (BMI) • How Can I Feel Better About My Body? • What's the Right Weight for Me? • Kids Health

22. Suggestions to have a healthy weight • Start a school, home, or patio vegetable garden. • Get your family and friends involved with a commitment to healthy weight by; • Making family menu calculating portion and calories necessary for all. • Find recipes you and your family consider interesting and healthy • Make a family calorie chart

23. Suggestions to have ahealthy weight • Make healthy eating posters for school and home. • Find your local farmers market • Suggest your class take a trip to a grocery market to plan healthy meals. • With the guidance of family members make a healthy meal.

24. Sample Family Calorie Chart

25. Suggestions to have a healthy weight • Share the tools for healthy eating with a friend. • Exercise in or outside your home with a friend and family member

26. Benefits of Maintaining Healthy Weight • Healthy heart • Lower incidence of diabetes • Flexible body • More energy • Thinking clearly • Lower incidences of cancer • Looking good • Better lifetime eating habits

27. What can you do today to get started? • Make a plan-Discuss with class mates, family and friends • Research- make sure all your information for your plan will work for you and your those you include in your plan. • Set goals- make realistic goals. Remember it takes approximately 3,000 calories to make a pound of body fat (Fox, 2004). • Enjoy the process and have fun • Stay healthy

28. Reference CDC. (2009). S. Obesity Trends. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Company, H. M. (2009). The American Heritage Dictionary. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Ebbeling, C. P. (2002). Childhood obesity: public- health crisis, common sense cure. The Lancet, 473-482. Fox, K. (2004). Childhood obesity and the role of physical activity. Perspectives in Public Health, 34-39.

29. Reference Lopez, R. H. (2006). Obesity, physical activity, and the urban environment: public health research needs. Environmental Health, 5-25. National Heart, L. a. (update 2011). Aim for Healthy Weight. Washington: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. NIHCM. (2005). Health Plans Emerging as Pragmatic Partners In Fight Against Obesity. Washington: National Institute of Health Care Management Foundation.

30. Reference Schueler, S. B. (2010). High Cholesterol Overview. DSHI Systems. WHO. (2002). Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. . Washington: World Health Organization.