F&N 2-6

12/04

Update

Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs:

Promoting Healthy Weight in Children

Prepared by: Stephany Parker, PhD

CNEP Asst. Nutrition Specialist

333 HES

Stillwater, OK 74078-6111

405-744-6821

e-mail: steph.parker@okstate.edu

Source: www.sne.org/Chi_Obesity.pdf accessed November 2004. Also available in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, volume 35(1), 2003.

IMPLICATIONS FOR COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. Increasing attention is being placed on the weight of our children. An important tenet in addressing the problem of overweight among children is to “help without harming.” Guidelines developed by the Weight Realities Division of the Society for Nutrition Education encourage a health-centered, rather than weight-centered, approach that focuses on the whole child —physically, mentally and socially. Such guidance offers extension educators an effective approach for addressing complex weight related issues among children.

This Weight Realities Division of the Society for Nutrition Education promotes a “new paradigm that advocates health and quality of life for individuals of all sizes and shapes, rather than slenderness at any cost.” In 2002, the Division released guidelines for addressing overweight among children which emphasize the importance of “living actively, eating in normal and healthy ways, and creating a nurturing environment that helps children recognize their own worth, and that respects cultural foodways and family traditions.”

The Division advocates that overweight and obesity prevention programs appropriately focus on supporting and nurturing every child, while avoiding doing any harm. This tenet recognizes the importance of treating all children with respect and helping them understand that realistic and achievable healthy behaviors will enhance their normal growth and development. The creation of a nurturing environment is not an individual affair. Parents, teachers, school staff, and health professionals are among those adults responsible for creating a nurturing environment that helps children recognize their own self-worth.

Reading these Guidelines for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs will help Extension educators resolve various issues related to weight among children, as well as acquire a great deal of practical information on promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and nurturing environments for children. The guidelines offer a framework for addressing childhood obesity grounded in goal setting, nurturing environments, and school policy. This update will provide a brief overview of setting appropriate goals and special considerations in avoiding harm. Additional recommended readings and information about these guidelines may be accessed through the web address listed above.

I. Setting appropriate goals

A. Set goals for health, not weight, as appropriate for growing children. The Division recognizes that expecting all children to be at an ideal weight range is unrealistic and can lead to problems. The authors propose that a more realistic alternative is to expect that children maintain a healthy weigh

B. Set goals for a nurturing environment. A nurturing environment is critical to growth and development for children and includes physical, mental, and social aspects. Such an environment fosters self-esteem, body satisfaction, and a positive body image. The basic premise is that “It’s what’s inside that counts.” Educators should cultivate and recognize character, aspirations, talents, and gifts of children of all sizes.

C. Set goals for healthy eating. These guidelines focus attention on both what and how children eat. Healthy eating patterns are multifaceted and include eating a variety of foods, having regular meals and snacks, responding to body signals of hunger and fullness, creating a positive environment for meals, and eating family meals together when possible. The guidance also recognizes that healthy eating encompasses taking time to relax, enjoy the food, and feel satiety.

D. Set goals for physical activity. This guideline recognizes that children need access to a variety of activities so each can succeed in some activities.

The aim of this guideline is for all children to achieve the following:

Ø be active at least one hour a day;

Ø reduce sedentary activities (limiting television to less than 2 hours a day and replacing excessive television and screen time with more involving activities);

Ø increase strength, endurance, and fitness;

Ø enjoy movement as natural and pleasurable;

Ø learn skills for sports and activities children will continue and enjoy throughout life.

The Division emphasizes that these goals are achievable by children of all sizes and weights and recommends that opportunities for physical activity be available within the school day, in after-school activities, as well as at home with family and friends.

II. Special considerations in avoiding harm

A. Self-worth. This guideline proposes that teaching children that their body is a good body will encourage them to keep it healthy. When children receive messages that personal worth and the esteem of others is related to their body size, harm can result.

B. Assessment. Appropriate weighing and measuring of children requires private conditions, recognizes individual differences in growth rates and body size and shape, and avoids labeling children. Special thought should be given to assessments so stigmatization and humiliation are avoided.

C. Intervention. This guideline advises that childhood obesity treatment and prevention programs focus on positive lifestyle changes for the whole family, creating an environment in which the child can be physically active, eat to satiety, and grow into his or her weight. The Division recommends that healthy weight be addressed in positive ways as opposed to emphasizing obesity risks because a risk based approach could result in fear, shame, disturbed eating, social discrimination, and size harassment.

Summary. Obesity is a complex issue requiring sensitivity and a multifaceted approach beyond that of eating and physical activity recommendations. This update has provided a brief overview of setting appropriate goals and special considerations in avoiding harm. Additional recommended readings and information about these guidelines may be accessed through the web address or journal article.