Preventing Childhood Obesity

Clinton Announces Childhood Obesity Plan:

Former President Clinton and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee have announced a 10-year plan to help defeat childhood obesity.

"The truth is that children are consuming more sugar and fatty foods than ever before. We want to reverse the growth in childhood obesity," Clinton said in a talk before students, teachers and the press in Harlem.

Clinton underwent heart bypass surgery earlier this year and concedes that his infamous eating habits contributed to his condition. Now, he is a strong supporter of using diet to live a longer, healthier life.

Governor Huckabee, who once weighed 280 pounds and lost 105 pounds in one year, says "I realized I was digging my own grave with a knife and fork'.

Fat Facts:
Some Scary Statistics

25% of the vegetables eaten in the US are French fries

A 1957 restaurant hamburger had 210 calories--today that burger is bigger--618 calories

Childhood obesity encourages diabetes, high bood pressure, heart disease and strokes

In 1969, 80% of kids played sports every day--that number is now down to 20%

By age 17, the average child has spent more time watching TV than attending school

70% of kids ages 6-8 think fast food is better for them than home cooking

5 Simple Steps :
Keep your kids happy and healthy

Let's face it: kids are cruel. And being an overweight kid is almost sure to be painful. The clothes other kids wear don't fit. Gym class is embarrassing. Friends are few and far between. The other kids are mean.

If your child is one of the 30% who are either overweight or at risk, here are some tips to take seriously:

1. Face the facts.
If your kid is gaining weight for two years, it's not baby fat. Talk to the family doctor for a weight loss plan and healthy eating advice.

2. Get the whole family involved.
Everyone should eat healthier, so get everyone interested in healthy meals that taste good, too-like Vita-Mix whole fruit smoothies breakfast.

3. Eat as a family--at the dinner table.
That way you can watch what everyone eats and guide the kids into eating well-balanced meals. Even snacks should be structure "sit down" events. Food eaten on the run is fast forgotten.

4. Make it fun.
Nutrution can be fun--especially with the Vita-Mix machine. Kids can make their own low-fat ice cream treats and add little goodies like nuts, candy cane pieces and brownie bits--in moderation!

5. Unplug!
Turn off the TV and the computer for healthy activities like biking, walking, ping pong, bowling--vary the plan and be creative. It's a great way to get to know your kids better, too.

*Flash Player Required

Chubby, chunky, fat or obese - call it what you will,
childhood obesity a BIG problem.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Fat Facts
The BIG FAT truth
A Wolf in Sheeps' Clothing
5 Simple Steps

Click here for the good news
in childrens' nutrition!

SHOCKER - Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past two decades. The calorie-dense, fatty, salty diet eaten by American children, combined with the serious lack of physical activity means that 25% of kids under 10 years of age have high cholesterol, high blood pressure or some other contributor to heart disease.

A new report has issued a stark warning that children's lives will be shorter than their parent's if this trend continues. While extreme calorie reduction is not advisable for children, a balanced diet of whole foods and reduced dietary fat is recommended.

The biggest challenge is finding a way to make what's nutritious delicious enough to satisfy kids' cravings for sweets. Vita-Mix machines makes all-natural fruit smoothies and frozen treats with real kid appeal. The best part is, the kids will never guess that they're also low in fat and high in whole food nutrition.

I'm ready to start making great-tasting, good-for-you meals with the help of Vita-Mix! Get started today.

The BIG FAT truth about childhood obesity

Schools are slashing sports programs, restaurants are super-sizing portions and kids are trading ball games for video games and the internet. No wonder a full fifteen percent of U.S. children are obese!

Another fat fact is that chubby children -- even if they do slim down -- are likely to be overweight adults.

Today our country's collective weight problem is linked to 300,000 deaths each year from illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. The truth is, it's not a pretty picture. But Vita-Mix can help. Small changes can make a big difference. Simply substitute a few of the high calorie convenience foods your family now eats with healthy whole food meals made in the Vita-Mix machine.

Whole foods are low in fat, high in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals -- and Vita-Mix recipes are easy to make and full of flavor. Make your kids fresh fruit smoothies and frozen treats and they'll never guess they're eating something healthy! The best part is, it's not a diet... it's delicious!

I'm ready to make the change and make delicious healthy meals for my family. Let's get started on a healthier family right now .

Sneaky Snacks

Many new snack food products are being packaged just for kids. They're bright colorful and "fun" to eat. They come in trendy shapes that match movie and TV themes. But the worst part is, they're actually being promoted as a good source of vitamins and minerals! Ouch!!! Snack companies are now able to add a few healthy ingredients-and presto!-junk food masquerades as health food and parents think they're buying something that's good for their kids. Schools stock these kid-friendly bags of bogus nutrition in vending machines, too. No wonder kids can't understand why their belts won't buckle-parents and teachers think these snacks are not only okay-but good.

Enter reality. Packaged, processed foods may have vitamins and minerals added to them-but what you're actually getting is a small percentage of what you really need. Seriously, when a product has an indefinite shelf life, how good for you can it possibly be? Additives and preservatives have replaced the valuable nutrients for the most part.

Fresh, whole foods, direct from Mother Nature, are the only way to get nutrition a kid really needs. But we're kidding ourselves to think our children will willingly eat something that doesn't taste good.

Enter the Vita-Mix machine. Vita-Mix fresh fruit smoothies are sweet, flavorful, delicious and nutritious. Vita-Mix ice cream-even if you add M&Ms or nuts-is all-natural, low-fat and fabulous. And the kids can help make it! Vita-Mix peanut butter is fun to make, too, and makes a great after-school snack that's really healthy.

There are honest options to high-fat, high-sodium snacks-let Vita-Mix show you the way.

Bring on the Vita-Mix and healthy whole food snacks!
You know your family needs healthier options. Let's get started .

Vita-Mix Machine Fights Childhood Obesity

Page 0179