Childhood obesity has been in the limelight for nearly 10 years now and the only thing that can be reported is that it is getting progressively worse. Most research shows that childhood obesity has tripled in the last thirty years. 
Other researchers are trying to decide why this has happened. Too much TV? Too many soft drinks? Too much fast food? Not enough physical activity? No physical education in school? Too many computer games? The answer is probably all of the above.
So what can be done and why should we really care if anything is done at all?
First, we should care. Childhood obesity means that a child has more than a 50% chance of being obese as an adult. Think of all the illnesses, diseases and disorders that the obese child is at greater risk of acquiring – diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, high blood cholesterol, osteoarthritis, certain kinds of cancer such as colon and prostate, back disorders and the list goes on. No one would want to impose these illnesses or diseases on anyone, especially children.
Second, what can be done? Unfortunately, what is driving insurance companies and others to do something about childhood obesity is the economics of childhood obesity. We know that adult obesity cost our economy about $120 billion a year. Studies are now being done to look specifically at the cost of childhood obesity and the preliminary results show that an obese child does cost more in terms of medical cost than a normal weight individual. Isn’t it sad to think that the only reason why we should do something to enhance the health of our children is driven by dollars?
Our biggest concern at Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy.® is that health officials, government officials and the medical community are attempting to legislate a fix by mandating physical education classes, handing out pamphlets providing tips on how to enhance physical activity levels for our children and how to prepare more nutritious meals. You can’t force children to eat more nutritiously or become more physically active. The old adage of you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink applies here. 
At Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy.® we believe the goal should be to provide children with the proper education so they will make the right choice to become more physically active and choose nutritious foods. We know education works from the research that we conducted at the University of Michigan . Education must occur in the home and in the classroom. Teachers will tell you that they don’t have time to fit any more lessons into their daily mandated lesson plans. This may be true. But perhaps then, our priorities are not in the right place. What good is knowledge when you don’t have the health to put it to good use as an adult.
Parents play a critical role in the education process of their children. Children as young as three are capable of comprehending healthy choices from unhealthy choices. This is why the Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy.® children storybooks, Heart “E” Heart and Friends Storybook - A Children’s Way To A Healthy Lifestyle, are written for moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles to read to children under the age of five. For older children, the Heart “E” Heart and Friends Storybook for children ages 5 to 8 is available.
Knowledge works! But must it must be given time to work. Obesity took years to reach its epidemic stage and will take years to correct.
Read a sample story. You will find them fun, educational, and full of healthy information for your children. Surprisingly, it is not uncommon for adults to also learn from Heart “E” Heart. The storybooks make a great holiday gift for your children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren or someone else you care about. They also make great stocking stuffers.
In addition to the storybooks, the Move It. Lose It. Live Healthy. Achieve a Healthier Workplace One Employee At a Time! 
is a very practical book for the entire family on how to become more physically active and to eat more nutritiously. The book has four chapters specifically written for families and children. These chapters describe ways to get children more involved in physical activity, preparing healthier meals and snacks and involving Heart “E” Heart in your children’s daily activities. Click on this link to learn more about this book. Like the storybooks, this book too would make an excellent holiday gift.
