By Joseph Skelton, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterologist/Obesity Expert

Did you know that nearly 50 percent of children in Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA are obese? The health consequences of being overweight during childhood include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint problems, liver problems, and sleep and emotional problems. This is happening because of food choices and the quantities of food we consume, as well as our lack of physical activity each day, according to Dr. Joseph Skelton, a pediatric gastroenterologist and obesity expert at Brenner Children’s Hospital. The children’s hospital recently opened a program called Brenner FIT (Families in Training) that helps families overcome obesity together and pave the way for a longer, healthier life.

What are the most important things a parent can do to keep their children from becoming obese?

“Oftentimes, taking a look at the choices parents make each day can have a huge impact on their children’s health,” Skelton said. “For example, research has shown that sitting down and eating family meals together several nights a week can help. This gives children family interaction and connection. Eating in front of the computer or TV distracts from the taste and quantity of food you consume at each meal. Spending a few hours eating together each week can help.” Children that eat meals regularly with their families eat less calories, more fruits and vegetables, more calcium, less saturated fat, and overall have a better outlook on life.

Also adding five servings of fruit and vegetables each day to the family’s menu can reduce the risk of chronic disease and obesity, Skelton said. “And it’s fairly easy to do. A serving is ½ cup of small cut up fruit or 1 medium fruit. A serving of vegetables is ½ cup raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup leafy vegetables or ½ cup beans or peas. Lastly, cutting out on sugar-sweetened beverages is a big step and one that can make a significant difference,” he said. “

More children are being diagnosed with Type II diabetes than ever before, a disease that used to be found only in adults. What are key prevention tips for parents?

In addition to providing your child with healthy meal choices and monitoring intake of sugar sweetened beverages, parents can encourage their children to limit the amount of “sitting time” a child has each day, Skelton said.

“Parents should limit the amount of sedentary activity to no more than two hours per day,” he said. “This include screen time, both computer and television, and playing video games. Talking on the phone also counts as ‘screen time’. Good examples of ways to increase activity during the day include taking a family walk after dinner each night, swimming, playing basketball or jumping rope. Encouraging your child to participate in team sports is also a good plan.”

The Brenner FIT program offers free classes at BestHealth, the medical center’s community resource center at Hanes Mall. The classes focus on some fundamental steps that parents can take to ensure their children live healthy lives. For more information about the classes or the Brenner FIT program, visit our website at www.brennerchildrens.org. Brenner Children’s Hospital is part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.