Childhood obesity programs are implemented by schools, families, communities, hospitals, and independent organizations. They focus on healthier eating habits, more exercise, and improved self-image. Successful programs involve partnerships between families, schools, and public and private organizations. Programs are most effective when tested for a year or more.
Different types of childhood obesity programs include those implemented by schools, families, communities, hospitals, and independent organizations. Many children’s weight loss programs address similar basic principles, including an emphasis on healthier eating habits, more frequent exercise, and improved self-image. In many cases, efforts to combat childhood obesity involve partnerships between families, schools, and public and private organizations. Some programs have a specific emphasis, such as providing school breakfasts, increasing access to physical activity, and/or educating children and families on nutrition principles.
School-based childhood obesity programs are typically a collaborative effort between administrators, teachers, school nurses, and parents. Typical interventions for such programs include a reduction in sugary drinks and fatty foods, decreased participation in sedentary activities, and increased physical activity during school hours. Successful programs bring together government assistance, health education for teachers, and school health professionals that improve the nutritional knowledge of parents and children. Programs are generally most effective when tested for a year or more because behavior modifications occur slowly and incrementally.
Community-based childhood obesity programs sometimes partner with local schools or offer after-school, evening, and summer programs. By collaborating with a school, a community-based program can offer daily breakfasts, encourage walking to school, and/or facilitate family-based fitness activities after school. Other community-based efforts include building bike paths in a city and repainting crosswalks to encourage kids to bike or walk more. Some community organizations offer weekend seminars to educate parents on elements of healthy nutrition and discuss strategies for increasing physical activity.
Independent organizations also offer childhood obesity programs for children of all ages. These programs are often weight-loss summer camps and teach children to develop healthier eating habits and higher self-esteem. Activities generally take place during the summer and extend over weeks or months. Classes on healthy eating habits, talks by qualified health professionals, sports teams and other recreational activities are organized to help children lose weight while having fun.
Hospitals and public and private health organizations also implement childhood obesity programs to educate people about the link between obesity and a variety of diseases. The role of such health organizations is generally to educate parents and children and to evaluate the efforts of community and school interventions. These organizations closely examine the successes and challenges of individual children’s weight loss programs to establish effective policies and offer sound health recommendations.
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