by Larry Lucas
NNPA News Service

The next few weeks will bring many opportunities to splurge. When it comes to indulging in favorite dishes like sweet potato pie, iced sugar cookies and rich fudge, it’s important to think not only about how it will affect your waist line, but how it will affect the youngest guests at your holiday dining table.

Kids look to adults to set an example, and it’s more important than ever to be a positive role model: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), childhood obesity has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and the problem continues to grow.  Fortunately, there are changes the entire family can make to help children stay healthy and fit.

Helping our children begins with understanding risk factors for obesity. Environment, behavior and genetics all play a role in childhood obesity; the most important thing is to focus on changing those things we can control, like behavior.  That’s right – the old diet and exercise advice. But it’s true: A lifestyle with balanced nutrition and exercise is the best way to keep your children at a healthy weight.

In the African-American community, we’ve become almost immune to the site of an overweight child. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve blamed it on the old idea of “baby fat,” but more often than not, there is a pattern of unhealthy behavior being formed. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that African-American teens and children were more likely to be overweight than their white counterparts. We’re even seeing toddlers suffering from obesity; the CDC found one in seven low-income preschoolers are obese.  Quite simply, there is no excuse for this.

The consequences of childhood obesity are staggering. Just a few extra pounds on the small frame of a child can lead to spikes in blood pressure and cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and asthma. Obese children are also more likely to be admitted to the hospital and stay longer, according to a recent American College of Emergency Physicians report.  

The harmful effects of early onset obesity can occur in childhood or later in life – sometimes it may take years for the obesity to develop, and just as long to reverse its effects. That’s why it’s important to make positive changes as soon as possible.

But it’s not enough just to know about the dangers of childhood obesity. It’s even more important to arm ourselves with the solutions. For most of us and our children, it comes back to the behavioral choices we make both at the dinner table and outside of the home.  

Consider these dos and don’ts for a healthier family:

DO: Add in more time for physical activity. Limit the amount of time your children are allowed to spend in front of the TV and computer and increase the time they spend moving around. This could include playing sports, dancing or going on walks.  Also, encourage them to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and protein and drink plenty of water. Try making these changes a family affair – children take cues from the adults around them, so hop on a bike and grab your kids!

DON’T: Drink your calories. For example, an average 12 oz. can of soda is around 165 calories – if you drink three in a day, you’ve added an extra 495 calories to your diet!  If your average 8-year-old is on a 1,600 calorie-a-day diet, they’ve already consumed nearly 30 percent of their daily allotment in just soda alone. Set the example by avoiding these high-calorie drinks yourself – no matter how much you crave them.

If your child is living with an obesity-linked condition such as diabetes, or with another condition that commonly impacts children, like asthma, know that America’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are continuing to create medicines that help kids live happy and active lives.  These companies are currently testing 219 new medicines for children, including drugs for asthma, cancer and genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis.

Patients who need help accessing their prescriptions for childhood illnesses and other conditions can turn to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Since its launch in April 2005, PPA has helped connect 6 million patients in need to programs that provide either free or nearly free medicines. For more information, patients can call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit www.pparx.org.

Our children deserve nutritious food and plenty of active play time to help keep them healthy and happy. With a little guidance from us adults – and a lot of willpower at the holiday buffet – we can help them do just that.

(Larry Lucas is a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).)