By: Marianne Smith-Edge, MS, RD, LS, FADA Date: 2/11/10
The International Food Information Council Foundation applauds First Lady Michelle Obama's new initiative to get kids eating healthier and exercising more, and we share her passion. At the Foundation, we have been addressing the importance of the relationship between food choices, regular daily activity, and obesity for over a decade and recognize that solving the epidemic requires a lifestyle and cultural change.
Recognizing the need to communicate healthy eating and physical activity messages that resonate with kids and parents, the Foundation initiated an in-depth consumer research in 1999-2000 and again in 2005 to better understand children’s and parents’ attitudes, perceptions and behaviors about preventing overweight in childhood.
Some 1999-2000 highlights include:
• To kids, weight was related to performance and appearance rather than health
• In the area of weight improvement, kids wanted to have “small victories” to sustain their interest and build self-esteem, and physical activity ideas beyond organized sports.
• Kids expressed a desire for parental guidance and emotional support.
• Kids need information that is “fun” and “cool.”
• Parents, along with their children, did not see overweight as a health issue, and believed that their children would outgrow the problem.
• Parents reported that they lacked the information and skills to address theses issues with their kids. They were afraid of upsetting their fragile self-esteem.
• Parents needed information that was credible and easy to use.
This research was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
Some 2005 research highlights include:
• Compared to the 2000 research, parents are more aware of the health risks associated with overweight/obesity, specifically citing diabetes as a concern.
• Most kids and parents know how to be healthy, listing examples such as eating fruits and vegetables, drinking water, and exercising.
• Some parents are initiating changes at home to focus on nutrition and physical activity with their family, such as grilling foods instead of frying, serving fruits and vegetables with meals, and incorporating physical activity into family time.
• The greatest success stories were found with families that tackled the problem together through good nutrition and regular physical activity.
• Although some families are taking action, parents continue to face multiple barriers including lack of time in their schedules, hesitance to initiate a conversation about weight with their kids for fear of upsetting self-esteem, the perception that they are poor role models, and frustration about the motivation levels with their children.
View the findings from the 2005 research (PDF)
Kidnetic.com Resources: Fun for the Whole Family
Based on the findings of our initial research with kids and families, in 2002, www.kidnetic.com, a Web site for kids and parents was launched and companion pieces soon followed. These include the Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide, an educational resource with 13 lessons for health professionals and community leaders working with kids, and theKidnetic.com Real-Life Guide for Parents, a brochure aimed at helping parents keep the whole family healthy. The Kidnetic.com resources are aimed at inspiring kids and their families to move toward healthier lifestyles, the same goals as reflected in the First Lady’s campaign, Let’s Move. Read more about all of these resources by clicking here
2010 and Beyond
Based on the First Lady’s comments on her own experience as a busy wife and mother, today’s families still face many of the same struggles they did a over a decade ago when we first spoke with them about this issue. The Foundation looks forward to continuing to engage with families and many others to understand the best ways to promote healthy eating and active living. There is still much to learn and more to do to help American families achieve optimal health.
What do you think of the First Lady's new initiative?