Each year, the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health asks a national sample of adults to identify health topics that are a “big problem” for children and teens. The Top 3 health concerns for children for this year were:
- Bullying/cyberbullying (61%)
- Not enough exercise (60%)
- Unhealthy eating (57%)
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2017
Can Tracking Help Kids?
Well, a study, published in the August edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, included 1,685 overweight or obese U.S. adults aged 25 and older found that those who tracked their food intake in a food journal lost 2x more weight than those who did not track their food intake. Probably same results with kids....
How much fruit and vegetables do children need daily?
Girls ages 2-3 years need to eat 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of vegetables daily. Girls ages 4-8 years need to eat 1-1 ½ cups of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Girls ages 9-13 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables daily. Girls ages 14-18 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 2-3 years need to eat 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of vegetables daily. Boys ages 4-8 years need to eat 1-1 ½ cups of fruit and 1 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 9-13 years need to eat 1 ½ cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Boys ages 14-18 years need to eat 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables daily.
These amounts are for children who get less than 30 min/day of moderate physical activity, beyond normal daily activities. More active children may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs.
SOURCE: USDA, www.ChooseMyPlate.gov
How are Credits assigned to food groups?
Because less than 60% of children eat the recommended servings of FRUITS & VEGGIES each day, FRUITS & VEGGIES are encouraged are given +1 credit/serving, earning a maximum of 3 credits each.
PROTEIN - whether Meat Protein or Vegetable Protein, gives +1 credit/serving, earning a maximum of 2 credits.
DAIRY, WHOLE GRAINS, NUTS & SEEDS each give 1/2 credit/serving for a maximum of 1 credit each.
Because we want to instill "moderation" for SWEETS and FRIED FOODS, we allow a couple of servings, but then reduce the credits by -1 if the servings exceed the limit.
Because SOFT DRINKS provide no nutritional value, except calories, SOFT DRINKS immediately reduce credits by -1/serving up to a maximum of -3 credits/ 3 servings.