REGION 15 PTO ADVISORY COUNCIL

DID YOU KNOW?

Childhood Obesity Can Be Prevented

Over the last 25 years, childhood obesity has increased 2 ½ times and 75% of obese children become obese adults. Region 15 is working to educate students and parents about healthy life and eating choices.

Why do kids become overweight?

Poor Diet

·        25% of all vegetables eaten in the United States are French fries.

·        Larger, “supersized” portions lead to greater food intake.

Lack of Exercise

·        While caloric intake has increased 200 calories per day per person over the last 20 years, caloric expenditure has decreased 1,000 calories per day per person.

·        American children watch 55 days of television per year.

·        The number of hours children play computer games has increased dramatically over the last decade.

·        Half of all children do not participate in any physical activity outside of school.

Your parental role to promote your child’s healthy weight:

·        Be a positive role model – enjoy a healthy diet.

·        Limit your child’s television, video, and computer time.

·        Get active as a family.

·        Talk about healthy eating, snacking, and drinking choices.

·        Calculate your child’s Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine where it falls on the BMI-for-age growth chart.

What can PTO’s and parents do?

·        Support town construction projects of recreational facilities.

·        Support after-school programs that promote physical activity.

·        Be familiar with the goals of your Physical Education program.

·        Support budgets that include Health, Physical Education, Athletics, and Intramurals.

Chairperson: Dr. Sandi Carbonari Welsh           

Email: PTOAdvisoryCouncil@region15.org