After alarming increases in rates of childhood obesity over the last decades, recent studies have confirmed that obesity rates among young children ages 2-5 have declined in the last decade while another study found obesity is declining in low-income preschoolers in 19 states.
It is through the following initiatives that has contributed to the declining obesity rates amongst pre-schoolers:
– The USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services programs such as the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act. USDA is committed to getting kids off to a healthy start by providing access to healthy food and quality nutrition education.
– The WIC program provides women and children access to healthy food through the WIC food package, through educational programs and nutrition counselling. The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides nutritious foods and encourages physical activity in child care.
– USDA in partnership with the First Lady in her Let’s Move initiative focuses on creating environments where young children can live and learn and where healthy habits are encouraged. To date, Let’s Move Child Care program has benefited more than 10,000 child care centres. USDA is a proud supporter to the Let’s Move Child Care Resource centre by providing the tools and resources to educate parents and caregivers on healthy eating and physical activity.
It is through the commitment and collaboration from the Federal Government, parents, caregivers and communities at large that we can continue to combat childhood obesity.