Blog
February 17, 2012
Dollars & Sense?
“The bottom line of the obesity epidemic”
by Todd Fitzgerald
Reports from the CDC have shown the obesity epidemic has stabilized. Before we celebrate, what does that really mean? Webster’s defines stabilize as “to hold steady; to maintain the stability of.” The one factor that never stabilizes in this fight is the increased cost of preventing, treating, and eliminating this epidemic.
CLOCC (Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children) posted a report from Trust for America’s Health “Bending the Obesity Cost Curve” that stated reducing obesity rates by five percent could lead to more than $29 Billion dollars in health care savings in five years. Imagine the impact five percent could have on health related cost for employers.
Although five percent doesn’t sound like much, what would that look like for Nebraska? The report found that in five years the country would save $29.8 billion, $158.1 billion in 10 years and a staggering $611.7 billion in 20 years. We are only talking five percent. National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research estimates the direct medical spending for obesity will be $823 per person in 2013, by 2018 that amount rises to $1919.00, which calculates to $1.5 billion in 2013 and $45 billion a year by 2018.
Each of us can make a difference in the fight to empower and energize families to live a healthy lifestyle. Getting your family to follow these simple rules: Eating 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables; No more than 2 hours of screen time each day; Each day getting 1 hour or more of family physical activity; Rethink your drink and make water the choice; Get 8 hours of sleep each night; and know that You and your family and friends can do it. Imagine the ENERGY everyone can gain by following those simple steps.
There is no better time than now to make a change. To generate the ENERGY it will take to reduce the obesity epidemic by five percent we have to come together as a community. We have to have a clear message, vision, and plan… a plan that encompasses a community solution to empower families to live a healthy lifestyle…a collaboration of resources supporting and building relationships with organizations who share the vision and mission of Teach a Kid to Fish.
The bottom line - we can't "hold steady or maintain" as Webster's defines stabilize. We have to work the greater good of our community and build ENERGY to energize the movement.
January 17, 2012
Dr. King
by Dr. Karla Lester
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
The forms of inequality and injustice in health care Dr. King refers to exist today as health disparities. The question of “What is a health disparity?” means varying definitions which often include the words injustice, inequity, and inequality.
"Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States."
-National Institutes of Health
What determines your health has less to do with access to health care than it has to do with what are called the social determinants of health. The social determinants of health include, but are not limited to, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, gender, and geography.
When addressing the obesity epidemic in children, it is just a quick scratch of the surface to find the real barriers to living a healthy life. You find the children most at risk for poor outcomes are those disproportionately affected by the epidemic of obesity.
Then, you come full circle and realize that advocating for all children to have access to healthy foods, green spaces, and safe physical activity opportunities becomes about improving not only their overall health, and cutting healthcare costs. It becomes about helping that child become a successful individual.
Today, in Lincoln, we celebrated the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the 17th Annual Youth Rally and March. The beautiful singing voice of a young girl urged us to “Lift our Voices” and follow Dr. King’s dream. We have a long way to go, and will need to come together as advocates to make it so.
January 3, 2012
Be It Resolved
by Rick Helweg
The New Year Day dinner table conversation at our house eventually got around to the question, posed by the youngest at the table, “What is your resolution for the New Year?” I jokingly answered, “To be a stricter parent. What’s your resolution?” He replied, “To be a stricter child.” He paused a moment and added, “Stricter is OK as long as it’s not mean.” I asked, “Am I being mean if I make you eat your vegetables?” “If you make me eat them, it’s mean. If you ask me to eat them… expect me to eat them, it’s not being mean.” He paused another minute and asked, “And I ask and expect you to play more football with me.”
Be it resolved.
Part of the mission and message of Teach a Kid to Fish is to empower Lincoln children and families to eat healthy and be active. I think my kid’s got the message. I appreciate the fact that he will be strict with me. I resolve to live up to his expectations.
December 14, 2011
Fan Mail and a Suggestion for a Great Healthy Activity!
We liked this suggestion from Sarah for a healthy activity so much, we thought we'd blog it!
"I just wanted to say that, as a library assistant, I've been using your health page ( http://www.teachakidtofish.org/resources/healthcare/links.html
) for a health and safety seminar I'm teaching for the younger members on the weekends. Thanks for making it; it's been helpful!
I thought I'd pass along another guide I've been using: "Handwashing Requirements in a Restaurant" - http://www.restaurantqrcodes.net/handwashing-requirements.html
With cold and flu season upon us, we've really been pushing hand hygiene on the kiddos. 'Tis the season to be generous, haha! Happy holidays :)
December 9, 2011
Todd Fitzgerald, Board of Directors President, Teach a Kid to Fish
Happy Holidays
What an incredible year it has been for Teach a Kid to Fish. I believe that this is the best time to be a part of Teach a Kid to Fish and the future is extremely bright. Over the past year we have built some great partnership and developed some programming that encompasses the mission and vision of Teach a Kid to Fish to Empower families to eat healthy and be active. The message and vision are clear and the fight to prevent and reduce childhood obesity is PRIORITY NUMBER ONE for the staff and the Board of Directors of Teach a Kid to Fish.
Webster’s defines giving as, “To grant or bestow by formal action, to make a present of; to make available; provide generously.” The common thread that ties and links all of us together is our ability to give. Lending a helping hand to someone who needs help, volunteering, mentoring, donating to something we believe in are ways we give.
Teach a Kid to Fish’s greatest work lies ahead and there is so much more work that needs to be done in fighting this epidemic. I invite you to join the fight and make a difference to the lives of the children and families of our community through your charitable support. Your contribution will allow Teach a Kid to Fish to build programming, partnership and relationships that will make a difference in the lives of families in our community.
I want to thank Dr. Karla Lester and Rick Helweg for their hard work, time and dedication to Teach a Kid to Fish. They inspire me to believe that the “why” is the most important reason Teach a Kid to Fish was created. To our Board of Directors, community partners, friends and families, without your support, encouragement none of this would be possible.
If you wish to make a financial contribution please visit our website. Teach a Kid to Fish is a 501 (c) 3 and all donations are tax deductible.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.
November 27, 2011
Happy Post Thanksgiving
By Terri Dunlap
"When asked if I wanted my pizza cut into four or eight slices, I replied, "Four. I don't think I can eat eight.". - Yogi Berra
I'll admit it. I ate large amounts of food on Thanksgiving. And then I went back for seconds and followed up with pie and ice cream. And it was lovely. I also plan on repeating the massive intake on the next big Holiday I celebrate, and the one after that. I'll probably eat more than my share of cake on my birthday too. That is how I eat about five or six times a year. No apologies. But I am aware that if I ate like that daily or perhaps even weekly that I would be consuming far more calories than are necessary for me and I would struggle to maintain a healthy body weight.
Most American consumers have become accustomed to large and super sized portions. Many of our prepackaged food and drink items are sold containing more than one serving. For example, a 20 ounce bottle of soda contains 2.5 servings. What are the chances that you will be sharing that with 1.5 persons? One of the problems with the larger sized items is that they are a better value in terms of cost. It is tempting to increase size for a relatively small increase in price. More food, less money. What can be the downside?
But as portion sizes have grown, so have our waistlines. Our food industry isn't doing us any favors by providing us with large packaged foods and family sized portions of food served to individuals at restaurants.
Awareness is key. It is okay to occasionally indulge in your favorite treats. Just keep in mind that if you choose to drink a large strawberry cheesecake blizzard, that will be 930 calories. Choosing the small size is about 350 calories. Or for 360 or so days of the year, choose a cup of strawberries for about 50 calories.
November 22, 2011
Happy Thanks for Giving Day
By Karla Lester, M.D.
What’s in a name?
I’m often asked, “Why did you name your organization Teach a Kid to Fish?” While some get it right away and are off dreaming for kids, others are analytical and will never get the metaphorical meaning of the name. No worries. It’s not about the name. It’s about the work.
You’ve heard, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for life.” I started thinking about what it will really take to reverse the trend of obesity in children. For instance, big policy changes in our food system and built community changes can take many years. Despite all the national, state and local data on the importance of health and its relationship to academic success, workforce productivity, well-being, lower costs, etc., not enough is happening for our children. I cite the recent school lunch debacle as an example. It’s going to take awhile and that means at least two generations of children may be surpassed before something happens for them.
We are taking this issue into our own hands on a local level. Teach a Kid to Fish is about empowering children to make healthy choices. Children can be excellent advocates as evidenced in the school-based anti-tobacco initiatives, but it’s adults who empower children through education, policy and advocacy.
Advocacy comes in all forms. I learned advocacy from my Mom. It’s not that she preached advocacy. I watched her in action. Despite being a single parent, working two, sometimes three jobs, she was simply and still is a good neighbor.
My two sisters and I were volunteered to do just about everything for older neighbors and relatives. There was positive reinforcement. You put yourself out there for others and you got something intangible back.
As a mother, it is very important to me that my children are taught to be advocates. Consider these tips as you work with your children to be advocates:
• Teach children to be compassionate as they think through current issues
• Be a role model for advocacy
• Involve your family in your efforts
Lincoln is a community of volunteers and giving. We rise to the occasion. We can teach our children to be advocates, but have to empower them to do so. Happy Thanks for Giving Day!
November 16, 2011
Hot or Cold Lunch? That is the Question.
By Karla Lester, M.D.
Whenever we get the monthly school lunch menu, my daughter peruses it, finds her likes and dislikes, and then writes a big H or C on each day, letting me know if she will be eating the hot school lunch or taking a cold lunch from home. She typically takes her lunch, but there are days she really prefers to eat school lunch. I’m always perfectly organized and have my kid’s lunches packed and ready for the next day before they go to bed. NOT! I have to admit that I am usually relieved when she decides to eat hot lunch because this means a few more minutes of sleep and less last minute scrambling. By the way, lunch is a funny word if you type it too many times.
The days she picks for school lunch are often a mixture of healthy choices and not so healthy choices. For instance, her favorite is the chicken teriyaki with brown rice and also the creamed turkey. She also likes the French toast sticks, chicken nuggets and muchos nachos, darnit. More of the healthier main entrées please.
To add to the mix, just out today, Congress takes the health out of school lunches, calling tomato sauce on school pizza a vegetable. Congress, now declaring themselves nutrition experts, is erasing the movement forward with healthy changes which had been approved for school lunch menus, calling them too restrictive. It was a small step forward and now several steps back. Congress’ decision to take the health out of school lunch is due to pressure from special interest groups.
There’s nothing more activating these days for parents than school lunch menus. I give presentations to a lot of groups and it is the never fail question that I know is coming. My answer usually goes something like this:
On a district level, the LPS food program has done an excellent job meeting requirements working within the budget constraints of a large program and making positive changes to promote health. There are barriers and restrictions each district faces. Many of the changes that are needed in school food programs will have to come on a federal level.
Contact your Representatives to let them know you want the healthy put in school lunch. Or, the unhealthy taken out!
November 8, 2011
What’s for dinner?
I’m guessing that most households have one person that does most of the cooking and meal preparation for the family. In our house, that task falls to me. While I enjoy cooking, the question “What’s for dinner?” is one that elicits more anxiety than the actual task of preparing the “What’s”.
I DO enjoy food preparation. I’ve written several cook books and quite often happily spend entire days in the kitchen cooking, baking, and (yes) doing dishes. If the task of meal preparation could be done as an improvisational jam where I only cooked what I felt like when I felt like cooking it the task would be constantly joyous. Also, I think that my family would eat quite well. However, I often have to answer the question, “What’s for dinner?” several days in advance so adequate planning can take place.
Wait! Planning? You know, like grocery shopping, rising the bread dough, growing the sprouts, letting the buttermilk ripen… that kind of planning. Nothing out of the ordinary.
When it comes to “What’s for dinner?” I’m an admitted back-to-the-basics type. My kids haven’t had store-bought bread for several years. We have fresh locally grown greens throughout the winter because we eat sprouts grown in our kitchen (well, when I say “we” I mean those of us in the house that eat fruits and vegetables… we have a 12 year old with “iissues” ). Some (my loving wife) might say that I have “issues”. But I don’t think that growing my own wild yeast that all that weird. (Talk about the need to prepare!) But food preparation and family meals of well-thought out nutrition is important to me.
I realize that I DO have issues. I DO realize that most of you do not have the same passion for the back-to-the-basics way of the kitchen that I might have, but I trust that if you are concerned about your family’s health and well-being, that you spend time with them in the kitchen and at family meals. Yes, it takes a bit of planning to do that, but it is well worth it.
So, what’s for dinner tonight?
October 31, 2011
First Things First
Donations of warm clothes for school children are down in Lincoln. Winter is coming and it’s going to be a cold one. Did you know that over 40% of LPS students qualify for free and reduced lunch? If you scratch the surface of need in this community, the barriers children and families face seem overwhelming. If you are a child who lives in poverty, you are at higher risk for poor outcomes on all levels. Teach a Kid to Fish works to prevent and reduce childhood obesity by empowering Lincoln children and families to eat healthy and be active, but first things first. The need for warm clothes is an immediate need, so our organization is working to promote Bubba’s closet.
Please help us make Bubba's Closet a success. Donations are down and we need your help.
Many of our families at LPS use Bubba's Closet for winter warmth, so we would appreciate your consideration to donate.
LPS Elementary Principals Present:
Bubba’s Closet
Winter School Clothing for Elementary-Age Kids
Saturday, November 12
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Riley Elementary School
5021 Orchard Street
Donate clothes for Bubba’s Closet to Hanger’s
Cleaners, Oct. 3-Nov. 4. Clothes will be
transported to Riley Elementary where
elementary students can pick out items
to adopt and use.
Further, please share this message with your neighbors and friends. Post it on facebook.
Thank you!
October 13, 2011
NEWS FOR PARENTS
Today we launched our new Teach a Kid to Fish parent newsletter! We are “Energizing the Movement to Prevent Childhood Obesity” and are so excited to engage parents in finding solutions to the epidemic of childhood obesity. Though I speak from different points of authority on the topic of childhood obesity prevention as a parent, a pediatrician, a child and community advocate, the role of parent is what I hold most dear.
It’s been over three years since I left my pediatric practice to start Teach a Kid to Fish and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked “How are you engaging parents?” I’ve also been told countless times, “It’s all about parents you know.” When it comes to our children’s health, I’ve met all kinds of parents- from the anti cookie families who don’t allow sugar in their house to the anything goes, eat fast food every night families to those of us in the middle teetering back and forth trying to strike that imperfect balance.
As a parent of three young children, I know parents have it pretty tough these days. Trying to raise healthy children despite the saturation with unhealthy choices at every turn, copious advertising of unhealthy choices to even our very young children, and increasing sedentary time opportunities, all make it so parents have many opportunities to practice our limit setting abilities throughout the day. Despite the barriers and the grim statistics surrounding the childhood obesity epidemic, I am so excited about all of the great things happening in Lincoln.
Remember to keep things simple, family and fun and to:
• Be a role model for healthy living
• Ask your child’s doctor about his/her Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Teach your kids about 54321Go!
To help further the cause:
• Like Teach a Kid to Fish on facebook
• Check out our blog
• Ask me a question about your child’s weight and nutrition
We know that 1/3 of Lincoln children are overweight or obese, and we as parents have to work together to make Lincoln a healthy community for all of our children.
August 19, 2011
JUST LET THE KIDS WALK!
by Rick Helweg
I grew up in an urban environment throughout the 60’s and 70’s. My kids would tell you that is the 1860’s and 70’s, but I would report that cars DID exist at the time. Like most people of my age, I would bet that nearly 100% of us that lived close enough to walk to school, WALKED TO SCHOOL. (WARNING: I am a finger wager on the subject of walking to school.) I can honestly report that I never was driven to school until Johnny Derban picked me up to give me a ride to high school in his ’65 Impala.
What has happened? The percentage of kids that walk to school in my Lincoln neighborhood… a very walkable neighborhood, I might add, is about 16%. 16%! Kids that live two blocks from school are being driven to school! (The exclamation point will become the predominant punctuation mark from here on out.) When asked why they drive their children to school, many parents will tell you that they do not feel safe allowing their kids to walk. Many parents will tell you that time is a major factor. These are the two most cited factors for not allowing children to walk to school. Bull! I’ll say it again: BULL!
Let’s start with the safety issue: The neighborhood school and the neighborhood streets leading to the school are extremely safe if you talk to your child(ren) about how to walk… ESPECIALLY IF A PARENT OR OTHER ADULT WALKS WITH THE CHILD(REN)! If you honestly can’t find the time to walk with your kids, try to hook up with another adult that walks with theirs. We organized a walking school bus and the participation was terrible. Kids that have been driven to school every day have a hard time giving it up until they realize how much fun it can be to walk to school with a big group of friends. It really is fun! It’s the job of the adults to look for and/or organize these walks to school. But in a neighborhood like ours, you can just let the kids WALK TO SCHOOL!
To the parents that say that there just isn’t time in the morning, I say that it is not that difficult to find that extra 15 minutes to half hour before the day starts to take a walk with your kid(s)! It’s a great time for you to get a little exercise AND to spend some time talking as you’re walking. OR, JUST LET THE KIDS WALK TO SCHOOL WITH FRIENDS!
International Walk to School Day 2011 is October 5th. Mark your calendars. Plan to walk. If you don’t have the time, JUST LET THE KIDS WALK TO SCHOOL WITH FRIENDS!
August 10, 2011
Celebrating Breastfeeding and Obesity Prevention
by Dr. Karla Lester
Sitting alone in a room, a year after starting Teach a Kid to Fish, I spent several hours planning what it will take to prevent obesity in our community’s children. After a year of countless meetings, literature reviews, phone calls, and evaluation of other community models, what I kept coming back to was early early childhood. No, that isn’t a typo. Early early childhood means intervening in the prenatal period by helping all Moms to have healthy pregnancies, babies born at healthy weights, and to encourage a breastfeeding community.
Last week was World Breastfeeding Week, a celebration in over 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and promote healthy babies around the world. Teach a Kid to Fish wants to keep the celebration going by promoting the importance of breastfeeding and celebrating how lucky we are in our community to have local resources, such as MilkWorks (www.milkworks.org), a community breastfeeding center designed to help Mothers breastfeed their babies.
When it comes to obesity prevention and in so many other ways, breastfeeding is the gift that keeps on giving. Though the exact cause is not known, many studies show an association between breastfeeding and healthy weights in children. This is most likely because healthy Moms have healthy babies and healthy Moms breastfeed.
Supporting breastfeeding Moms in the first few days after the birth of their babies is critical. While in practice, I always encouraged Moms to advocate for themselves and their babies and ask for help while in the hospital, when they’ve come home as their milk is fully coming in and as they we’re going back to work. It shouldn’t take that level of individual advocacy, but rather, due to the countless health benefits, both long and short term for Mothers and babies as well as the public health and economic benefits to our communities, should be a given that these supports are in place for Moms and babies. It’s a no-brainer after all. Actually, a yes-brainer, another benefit of breastfeeding is additional IQ points. Who couldn’t use more of those?
Here are a few strategies our community can move toward to promote breastfeeding:
• Breastfeeding friendly hospitals with lactation support
• Healthcare providers who advocate for breastfeeding
• Family supports
• Worksite support
Of all the things I’ve done as a Mother, breastfeeding my three children makes me the most proud. Breastfeeding takes commitment and perseverance and support and is the most wonderful natural experience I’ve ever had. Let’s keep celebrating!
August 4, 2011
"What Makes a Happy Meal?" by Rick Helweg
There has been much in the news over the past couple of weeks about the component parts of the happy meal. The articles have been focused on the “healthy” changes being made to the happy meal. I wonder, “Were happy meals unhealthy before last week?”
I have to admit, that as a busy work-at-home father of two boys (11 and 13 years old), we have happy meals … at least 6 times a week. We never eat our happy meals in the car. We always have our happy meals at home. I guess I should also add that of those 6 days, we usually have 2 or 3 happy meals per day.
What makes these meals happy meals? I’ll report first that apple slices do not make a meal happy. I should also add that French fries, as much as we may like them, do not make a meal a happy one. Sometimes toys can make a meal happy when my 11 year old brings his latest Lego creation to the table to explain how quickly his newest space traveller can go from Planet Zibbabuf to the outer reaches of the universe. Mostly what makes the meal a happy one is the commitment to sharing jokes, funny stories, the day’s plans and activities.
It doesn’t matter to me what some fast food purveyor puts in its pre-packaged “meals”. No matter what it is, it can never really be “happy”. Even if they put apple slices in it, they can’t add happiness in the same way that they add toys and fries. Sharing meal time as a family is a great way to connect and share. It takes a little work to bring everyone together for meals, but it's worth it and the whole family eats better. Family meal time is a lesson that children will use for life, especially when that meal is home cooked and enjoyed happily around a family table. That is a real “happy meal”.
July 27, 2011
"4 Tips for Positive Messages to Help Overweight Kids"
by Karla Lester, M.D.
Addressing obesity, especially in children, has become a national priority. Working on a community level, I am grateful for these efforts with great hopes for a trickle down of resources and momentum. Oh happy day.
But for those who struggle with obesity, is it really so great to have such attention placed on such a personal struggle? The question is will there be more stigma and more pressure, making it more difficult to overcome the barriers to become healthy? Are we going to cause harm?
These are important questions and should not be overlooked. In our community, the answer is positive messaging. Teach a Kid to Fish has worked with the community to develop a long term strategic plan finding local solutions to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. As with anything else in life, all good comes from listening, and we did a lot of it. During this process, the importance of positive messaging focusing on health, family, and keeping things simple and fun, came through loud and clear from healthcare providers, educators, faith leaders, parents, organizations, and community members.
As we move forward, here is what we can do:
1) Remember the simple healthy living message of 54321Go! which stands for 5 fruits and vegetables per day, 4 glasses of water, 3 servings of low-fat dairy, 2 hours or less of screen time and 1 hour of physical activity.
2) Keep things simple, family and fun. As a parent, you don’t have to make major changes to start improving your child’s health. Start with one goal, like drinking more water and cutting down on sweetened beverages.
3) Include the whole family. Do not single out the one child in the family who is overweight. In order to sustain healthy lifestyle changes, the entire family needs to be involved.
4) Have zero tolerance for bullying overweight children. School policy should be written to include zero tolerance for bullying students based on weight. Parents need to teach children that it is not okay to make fun of anyone based on weight. After all, we all come in different shapes and sizes. Let’s celebrate it!
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