Kimberly Garrison: It's time to turn the tables on childhood - Philly.com

Kimberly Garrison: It's time to turn the tables on childhood - Philly.com

FIRST LADY Michelle Obama is right on time with her message about childhood obesity.

Last Thursday, Obama and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced their advocacy and commitment to turning the tide on childhood obesity.

"The number of Americans, like me, who are struggling with their weight and health conditions related to their weight remains much too high," Benjamin said during a news conference at an Alexandria, Va., YMCA.

Benjamin cited harrowing health statistics that we know all to well: More than two-thirds of adults and a third of all children in the United States are overweight or obese, which increases the odds for chronic diseases, disability and premature death.

From an economic stand point, a whopping $150 billion is spent annually on obesity and related complications, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Obama said that her advocacy and leadership around obesity began at home. She shared her personal struggle when her pediatrician voiced concerns about her girls' climbing BMIs: "In my eyes my children were perfect. I didn't see the changes. . . . We always think that happens to someone else's kids."

She continued, "I had to lead our family to a different way."

Some of the changes the first lady made were limiting the children's television during the week, increasing their activity, paying more attention to portion size and making sure that there were more fruits and vegetables on the menu. She's also urging them to drink more water.

More than food for thought, this is good, old-fashioned commonsense advice that we can all benefit from.

The Obama administration has committed $650 million to fund prevention and wellness programs aimed at combating obesity and smoking, according to Sebelius.

Portion control is for kids

Managing food portions isn't just for adults; kids need it, too.

If you and the kids are dining at the local fast-food joint, remember that a regular "happy meal" burger is an adult serving of meat. No need to force your child to eat the whole thing. Not to mention that these so-called kids' meals are packed with excess calories - typically, 500 or more!

What kids need are more fruits and vegetables and less fast food. Contrary to popular belief, a bag of chips or a candy bar costs more than an apple. More importantly, the apple gives kids much needed nutrition and fiber.

Lucky for us Philadelphians, we have choices, such as the many farmers markets that sell locally grown produce at affordable prices, the Reading Terminal Market and organizations like the Food Trust, which work to provide fresh and affordable produce for all.

Exercise is for everyone

Everyone can benefit from regular exercise, but active children are especially rewarded. These kids generally have:

_ Stronger muscles.

_ Stronger bones.

_ More lean mass.

_ Lower body fat.

_ Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes

_ Lower risk of high cholesterol.

_ Lower risk of high blood pressure.

_ Improved mood.

_ More self-confidence and higher self-esteem.

Many factors are contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic, but the bottom line is that kids are way too sedentary. All children age 2 and up should get a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

In an effort to keep our youngers active, the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity is offering free, one-year memberships to every seventh-grader in the region. YMCA, you rock!

Kimberly Garrison is a certified personal trainer and owner of One on One Ultimate Fitness in Philadelphia (www.1on1ultimatefitness.com). E-mail her at

kimberly@1on1ultimatefitness.com. Her column appears each Thursday in Yo!