Childhood Obesity Gets Hot As Summer Approaches

By Josh Thomas, Partner, Topics Education

As we begin looking forward to summer, I’ve been reflecting on some of the prominent issues that have arisen over this soon-to-be-ending school year. One major issue that has received considerable attention this year has been the growing childhood obesity problem in our country. From Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative to Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize-winning work to improve school lunches, the topic is garnering much deserved attention.

According to the CDC, more 10% of pre-school children (2-5 years old) are obese. That percentage nearly doubles (19.6%) among 6-11 year olds. Clearly, it’s a problem and one that must be addressed. And I think Mr. Oliver is right to focus on school lunches as one piece of the puzzle – although, as he is learning, making that piece fit is easier said than done. Moreover, with summer fast approaching, we are reminded that the battle for improved childhood nutrition, fitness and overall health cannot be wage solely on school grounds.

Parents and caregivers must play an active role in their children’s food and lifestyle choices, of course. It’s important to remember, however, that such a role is easier for some parents than others. More than 30 million school age youth receive 1-2 meals per day (at least lunch and breakfast for many) that are either free or subsidized through the National School Lunch Program.

Once school ends for the year, parents must add 5-10 meals (per child!) to their food budgets each week school is out. And the simple truth is that crappy, highly processed food is cheaper than fresh fruits, vegetables and other whole foods. As a friend told me once, the decision for many of these families is not between conventionally raised carrots and organically raised carrots. The decision is between carrots and Twinkies. And Twinkies (inexpensive with a LONG shelf life) normally win the battle of cheap. (It’s no coincidence that the problem of obesity is found disproportionately among the poor.)

Of course, by cheaper we mean in the short term, as Americans spend some $150 billion a year treating obesity related conditions. But when a family is barely living paycheck to paycheck thinking about anything BUT the short term is a dream. The Let’s Move program has recognized the need for affordable, healthy foods and has made building awareness of the issue a key component of its campaign. Further, organizations such as the Food Trust and the faith-based Society of Saint Andrews are working in our communities to bring nutritious foods to the families that need them. These organizations can’t succeed in a vacuum, however. Their work – and the work of others of similar focus – can be made easier when more people advocate for and build awareness around the issues these organizations are trying to address. And that’s something each of us can do, even during the summer. Or maybe it should be, ESPECIALLY during the summer.