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It’s 3:30 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon, a 15-year-old boy just walked in the door after school. He heads straight for the refrigerator and grabs a can of soda. Then he goes in the pantry and pulls out a bag of potato chips. He takes the chips and soda and plops down on the couch to play video games for the next two hours until his parents arrive home from work.
This is happening in thousands of homes across York and Adams counties on a daily basis. Teenagers are spending more and more time in front of computers and TVs and less time being active. This alarming trend is why more than 17 percent of school-aged adolescents, ages 12-19, are considered obese. While a chubby baby may be cute, an overweight teen is no laughing matter. Obese or overweight children and adolescents have a greater chance of having health problems later in life, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
“In today’s society teens are much more independent, and the responsibility is often on them to make wise food and activity choices,” said Almira Abbas Contractor, M.D., FAAP, a pediatrician at the York Hospital Community Health Center. “This makes it even more important for parents to instill good habits in their children when they are young. But, it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes. Teenagers will still listen to what their parents have to say.”
Medical experts agree that obesity trends can be reversed if children are taught healthy eating and physical activity behaviors at a young age. Children observe the adults in their lives and will model those behaviors. Being active together as a family is a good way to introduce children to fun lifetime activities, such as hiking, biking, tennis and walking.
“Parents need to set a good example for their children by eating well-balanced meals and exercising regularly,” said Contractor. “Teens are more likely to make good decisions if they are surrounded by adults who are doing the same. ‘Do as I say not as I do’ is not an effective way to parent.”
Many fast food restaurants now have healthier options, including apple slices, yogurt, water and milk. Teaching children to choose these foods over french fries and soda can help them to make the right decisions when they become teens. Keeping the refrigerator and pantry stocked with healthy snacks such as fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat cheese, peanut butter, whole grain crackers and yogurt can help make after-school munchies healthier.
Tips for parents to encourage healthy behaviors:
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Eat meals together as a family at the table and with the TV and computer turned off
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Limit recreational screen use (television viewing, video game playing, computer use) to a maximum of two hours per day
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Limit visits to fast food restaurants and choose healthier options when at these locations
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Avoid or decrease consumption of soda, tea, fruit juices, flavored waters and energy drinks
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Stock the fridge and pantry with healthy options
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Be active as a family – go for walks, bike rides, toss a football or play at the park
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Engage children in age-appropriate household chores, such as dusting, folding laundry, washing the car and gardening
“This ‘supersizing’ of America’s youth can be stopped,” said Contractor.
A few lifestyle changes can help to improve the health of everyone. A few months later, the 15-year-old boy came home from school and headed straight for the fridge. He poured a glass of milk and ate some celery with peanut butter before going on a bike ride with his neighbor.
How WellSpan Can Help
WellSpan’s Community Health Improvement Department offers a variety of services designed to help children, adults and families adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. For more information, please call (717) 851-3222 in York or (717) 337-4264 in Gettysburg.
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