HOME VISITING: Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Obesity is a primary concern in many states. While any child is at risk, children who live in poverty-stricken 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 help prevent obesity!

Home visiting programs teach new parents ways to introduce healthy habits in the household. If you are currently participating in home visiting, talk to your Family Support Specialist 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. Aim for 60 minutes of moderate exercise a day. You can find fun outdoor activities online or on DE Thrives QT-30!
2. Encourage your child to eat fruits and veggies. Fill half the plate with fruit or 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 Family Support Specialist can talk to you about breastfeeding your baby.

Your Family Support Specialist can help you see endless ways to keep your baby healthy. Talk to them about other ways to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. For more information about home visiting, visit https://dethrives.com/home-visiting. You can also dial 2-1-1 for Help Me Grow or text your zip code to 898-211.  For more information on childhood obesity, click here.