THE BAD NEWSThe statistics are alarming: In the past two decades, the number of overweight children and adolescents has nearly tripled, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
That means more kids have heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol - and even type 2 diabetes, formerly thought to be an adults-only disease.
"We've seen children as young as 10 with type 2 diabetes," said Jeannee Diaz, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator at Humphreys Diabetes Center in Boise. Diaz also is certified in childhood and adolescent weight management, a certification she is "quite proud of."
"It's so scary with the children," Diaz said. "Kids born in 2000 are the first generation in years not likely to outlive their parents."
THE GOOD NEWSHealthy eating and a little physical activity - freeze tag, anyone? - can turn it all around.
"I think the only way we can turn the epidemic of diabetes and obesity around is with education," Diaz said.
She is not alone. Other local experts agree, including Peggy Moore, supervisor, and Christy Smith, area manager, both registered, licensed dietitians with Boise schools and Stacy Beeson, St. Luke's Boise outpatient and health solutions dietitian.
I tagged along on an Albertsons Healthy Eaters field trip, designed by corporate nutritionist Heidi Diller, where kids get hands-on and delicious nutrition education.
"Just like we teach our kids other life lessons, nutrition is a life lesson that needs to be talked about at home," Beeson said.
Here are some tips from the experts to help you and your kids get and stay on the path of healthy eating.
AT THE STORE Make grocery shopping a family affair. In fact, get the kids involved in the whole meal-planning process.
"The more kids are involved, the more likely they are to have ownership," Beeson said.
Read the labels. How many servings are there? What's the serving size? Are there a lot of "extra" ingredients?
Shop for fruits and vegetables with color in mind. "Eat the rainbow," Diaz said.
Go on a fun treasure hunt, said Diller. Blue foods (blueberries) are good for your head (brain). Red foods (apples - leave the skin on!) are good for your heart. Green foods (broccoli) are good for your eyes. Yellow and orange foods (oranges) are good for preventing colds.
Shop the perimeter, where fresh food items are located. Avoid the inner aisles, where foods high in fat and low in nutrition lurk, Diaz said.
Stick to the list. "But have the kids involved in making the list," Moore said.
Pick out a new food, fruit or veggie to try.
AT HOMEIf at first you don't succeed in getting your child to just try one bite of broccoli- keep on trying.
"Kids have to be exposed to new food at least 10 times before they know if they like it or not," Diaz said.
And it's important to repeat the exposure with no pressure, Beeson said.
Make a good role model. "Kids hear everything their parents say about food - emphasize the positives of food, eliminate the negatives," Beeson said.
Let kids choose. Have a variety of fresh fruits and cut-up veggies on hand for anytime, guilt-free snacking.
Make mealtime family time. All the experts agreed on this. Turn off the TV and the computer. Sit at the table together and talk. "It's really a powerful thing," Diaz said.
Let the kids cook. You can even have "it's your meal" night where everyone takes turns planning the menu, shopping for groceries and cooking.
Or, if they're too young, let them help. Even little kids can pour, measure and stir. "Get them involved in the whole process," Smith said.
Get creative. Make vegetable critters. Put raisin or berry "smiles" on a piece of peanut buttered whole-wheat toast. Make a tray of "appetizers" with grapes, carrots and other little veggies. Offer toothpicks for fun eating.
Jeanne Huff: 377-6483
