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Parents

Parents

According to a recent survey done by the American Heart Association, childhood obesity is the top health concern of parents for the second year in a row. As parents, we are health advocates for our children and their most important role models. It is easy to become overwhelmed with our busy lifestyles and the external influences that diminish our childrens' wellness at every turn.

The purpose of this section of the website is to help parents understand the seriousness of the obesity epidemic, provide resources and simple steps for families and inspire parents to become involved in the community by advocating in their child's school, daycare, community organization and by joining one of the Teach a Kid to Fish working groups.

Listed below are some simple steps that families can take to prevent obesity in children. Click on Discover 54321Go! below and start integrating this simple and fun message in your home today. Work with your child's physician to follow Body Mass Index% (BMI%) and track it over time. Stay linked in to what's going on nationally by clicking on the links below.

Eat 5 fruits and vegetables each day
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages
No more than 2 hours of screen time per day
Get 1 hour of physical activity per day
Eat family meals regularly
Limit fast food intake
Choose low-fat dairy
Eat breakfast everyday
Breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, and maintain breastfeeding for the first 12 months of life