Childhood Obesity Declines | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 12/28/2012

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national childhood obesity rates have dropped to just less than 15 percent. With more kids crawling and climbing around, it`s helping North Dakota fall below the national childhood obesity numbers.

"We are always trying to encourage families to adapt to the cold, even if they’re from down south and just moved here. Sometimes joining the Y is a wonderful option, or going to the mall or just walking around," said Trinity Health Outpatient Dietician Michelle Fundingsland.

Nutritionists may have not seen as many kids walking through their clinic and that could be because of the Plate Method. The Plate Method consists of vegetables, fruits, proteins, a side of grains and a glass of milk.

Minot YMCA Daycare Center parents are already making those lifestyle changes for their kids.

"We used to see a lot of parents bringing in McDonald`s, but like now, I think the parents are doing a really good job feeding their kids better. They bring their healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables and bring home-cooked meals," said daycare supervisor Blanca Lopez.

For Lopez, obesity is a familiar subject.

"I come from an overweight family, so it is pretty scary. If I don`t buckle down, then my kid will probably be an overweight kid too."

She decided to have a plan of attack by switching not only her daily routines, but also her child`s.

"She eats a lot more fruits and vegetables. We even switched to different kind of yogurts slowly. Just more healthier."

With more and more families educating themselves on nutrition and exercise we can only hope that we can scale down childhood obesity.

The YMCA offers a wide range of kid-friendly fitness activities to keep them in shape,even as a toddler.

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