September National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
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:
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.
Contact the American College of Sports Medicine at coam@acsm.org and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdcinfo@cdc.gov for more information and materials.
