September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
Health experts are pointing toward numbers that show nearly 13 million children are getting beyond their healthy weights.
YMCA of the Northwoods spokesperson Stephanie Ruckheim says incorporating regular physical activity along with proper nutrition is key to controlling weight.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report obesity has leveled off at 17 percent. One in six children are considered obese and one in three are overweight.
Ruckheim says this chronic weight problem could pose long term health risks such as type 2 diabetes....
".....kids need to play at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside, if possible and breaking a sweat at least three times a week by doing 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. The best thing is to make it a family activity outside and get the hearts pumping and the bodies moving...."
Ruckheim says another point is putting down the digital technology and get involved in physical activity with the children. She says young people learn from their parents and if parents are sedentary, most likely the children will be too. In Wisconsin, nearly 15 percent of young people are considered overweight. She says proper nutrition and exercise are key.
