HOME VISITING: Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Obesity is a primary concern in many states. While any child is at risk, children who live in poorer areas are at a greater risk for being overweight. In fact, obesity now affects one in five children across the United States. This can put your child at risk for various health problems. The good news? There are many things you can do to prevent obesity!

Home visiting programs teach new parents ways to introduce healthy habits in the home. If you are currently participating in home visiting, talk to your home visitor about ways to keep your child healthy. In the meantime, here are a few quick tips:

1. It is important to keep your child active and moving around. You can find fun outdoor activities online or on DE Thrives QT-30.
2. Encourage your child to eat fruits and veggies. Choose My Plate has simple recipes and easy to understand information on healthy eating.
3. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity. Start your baby off on the right path. Your home visitor can talk to you about breastfeeding your baby.

Your home visitor can help you see endless ways to keep your baby healthy. September is National Obesity Awareness Month. Try some of these tips to help keep you and your family healthy. Talk to your home visitor about other ways to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. For more information about home visiting, visit https://dethrives.com/home-visiting/help-at-home. For more information on childhood obesity, visit https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm.