Childhood Obesity and Community Efforts to Combat It

The marketing of ultra-processed food is coinciding with a troubling rise in childhood obesity in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased significantly over the years—from 1 in 20 children affected in 1970 to 1 in 5 children today.

Many factors contribute to this rise, including socioeconomic, environmental, and lifestyle elements. However, dietary choices remain a core concern. Understanding which foods are healthy can be challenging for many people.

You look at the back of the label and you’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s no good, that’s no good …’ And it’s like, so then what do you eat some days? It’s scary,

remarked Heather Wolfe, who, along with her daughter Grace, participates in the YMCA’s ‘Healthy Weight and Your Child’ program in Harrisburg, Pa. The initiative promotes healthy living through proper diet and exercise while focusing on the family’s overall environment and habits.

Grace has learned the negative effects of items like highly-hydrogenated oils.

In the age of new weight loss drugs like GLP-1s, not yet approved for children under 12, preventing obesity in future generations remains crucial. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary expressed his concerns, advocating for diets that prioritize protein, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains while reducing processed foods.

This is not a willpower problem with our nation’s kids. This is a problem with us putting highly-addictive, highly-chemicalized food in front of them,

Makary stated. He emphasized the role of marketers in this issue and suggested clearer food labeling and schools purchasing real food.

Shayla Mitchell, whose daughter Miracle struggled with weight gain during the COVID pandemic, found assistance through the same YMCA program. Miracle acknowledged that eating healthy to lose weight helps prolong her life.

Shayla shared the challenge of portion control but noticed her daughter using a measuring cup to regulate cereal intake. Such actions indicate that children can become agents of their own progress.

The ‘Healthy Harlem’ program, led by Harlem Children’s Zone CEP Kwame Owusu-Kesse, concentrates on preventing childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is one of the most daunting challenges that young people face from a health and wellness perspective,

Owusu-Kesse said. The program distributes 50,000 to 70,000 pounds of fresh produce annually to promote nutrition knowledge and physical activity in the community.

Parents play a crucial role in these efforts, navigating challenges to create supportive environments for their children. Small victories, such as fitting into previously tight jeans, motivate children and families. Shayla reassures Miracle that progress is happening.

Children like Grace experience the benefits of weight loss beyond physical appearance.

It makes me feel healthy and happy. You can be more active and play with friends, go outside and enjoy activities,

Grace said, highlighting the positive impact on social interactions.

Programs like the YMCA and Harlem Children’s Zone foster environments where children and families learn, grow, and celebrate achievements together.

For more info:

• YMCA’s ‘Healthy Weight and Your Child’ program
• YMCA’s ‘Healthy Weight and Your Child’ in Harrisburg, Pa.
• Harlem Children’s Zone ‘Healthy Harlem’ program