Urging Parents to Help Kids Be Fit from the Start

Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity are the aims of a new education campaign targeted at South Dakota's 2- to 5-year-olds. First Lady Jean Rounds today helped launch "Fit From the Start" to help parents and caregivers instill healthy eating and physical activity habits at a young age.

"Young kids rely on parents and caregivers to decide which foods to eat and how much physical activity they need," said First Lady Rounds. "Fit From the Start provides parents and caregivers with the tools and information they need to offer their kids healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. Helping young kids adopt these kinds of healthy behaviors will have lasting benefits."

According to the Department of Health's latest pediatric nutrition surveillance survey, 13.9% of South Dakota 2-5 year olds are overweight. Overweight children are at risk for serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease and a large percentage are likely to remain overweight as adults. The emotional and social consequences for overweight children in a society that stigmatizes this condition can be traumatizing.

"Fit From the Start" includes TV and radio messages as well as educational materials for parents and caregivers, all emphasizing healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. It was created as one result of the South Dakota State Plan for Nutrition and Physical Activity, released in 2006. That plan outlined specific objectives targeted at preventing obesity and related chronic diseases, including one calling for distributing public education materials and resources on the impact of overweight on young children to at least 50,000 parents and caregivers.

Day care centers, WIC offices and grocery stores will be participating to spread the message of the importance of instilling healthy food choices and regular physical activity.