National Health Observances
National Health Observance Toolkit - September
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Sponsor: American College of Sports Medicine 
One in 3 children in the U.S. is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The good news? Childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and move more.
Make a difference for kids: Spread the word about strategies for preventing childhood obesity and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.
How can National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month make a difference?
We can all use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can take action toward a solution — both at home and in the larger community.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Encourage families to make small changes, like keeping fresh fruit within their children’s reach or going on a family walk after dinner.
- Motivate teachers and administrators to make schools healthier by providing quality nutrition and making sure physical activity is a part of every student’s day.
- Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by supporting programs to prevent childhood obesity.
How can I help spread the word?
We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:
- Add information about obesity prevention to your newsletter.
- Tweet about National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
- Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources.
- Become a partner of We Can!, a national movement to help children ages 8 to 13 stay at a healthy weight.
Sample Announcement | Sample Tweets | E-cards | Web Badges | Get Involved | Share These Tools | Find More Information
Get the Word Out
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Sample Media and/or Newsletter or Listserv Announcement |
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Tip for parents: Get the kids involved in planning and cooking healthy meals. More tips: http://1.usa.gov/hnuGz4 #childobesity Share these 10 tips for healthy meals, like making half your plate veggies and fruits. http://1.usa.gov/x7oJE3 #childobesity Use these tips to reduce your child’s screen time. http://1.usa.gov/69My6u #childobesity Put at least 60 minutes of physical activity in your child’s day. Get tips: http://1.usa.gov/3wnZMl #childobesity Since 1980, childhood obesity rates have almost tripled. Help your child stay at a healthy weight. http://1.usa.gov/LOWoNC #childobesity Parents: Make a physical activity plan for the whole family. http://1.usa.gov/bg6vTr #childobesity September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. See what’s going on in your community: http://bit.ly/bStnjf #childobesity Make creative snacks for your kids, like "ants on a log" (celery with peanut butter and raisins). http://1.usa.gov/oFIXRJ #childobesity |
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healthfinder.gov E-cards
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) E-cards |
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Web Badge |
Get Involved
Take action to increase awareness about childhood obesity.
- Host a community cleanup event to help make a neighborhood park a safer place for children to play and be active.
- Send this e-card to your agency’s email list with parenting tips on encouraging healthy eating and physical activity.
- Promote farm-to-school programs and school gardens. Encourage schools to join the HealthierUS School Challenge.
- Host a community fitness event where families can be active while learning about local health and fitness resources.
- Set an example by talking with family members and friends about eating healthy, getting enough physical activity, and limiting screen time.
- Share resources from Let’s Move! with local health clinics and community centers.
Adapted from The American College of Sports Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Let’sMove.gov.
For more information and materials:
- Contact the American College of Sports Medicine at coam@acsm.org
- Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Find More Information
- How much physical activity do children need? – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Eight Healthy Eating Goals – The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
- Healthier Kids, Brighter Futures – The American College of Sports Medicine
- Learn the Facts – Let’s Move
- Childhood Overweight and Obesity – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Active Families – Let’s Move
- Health & Nutrition Information for Children Over Five – United States Department of Agriculture
- Healthy Weight Basics – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Campaigns and Informational Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: Community-Wide Campaigns – Community Preventive Services Task Force
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