Obesity in Louisiana has emerged as one of our greatest and most pressing public health challenges. Poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles contribute immensely to Louisiana's national placement of 50th for its state health ranking over the last three years (United Health Foundation State Health Rankings, 2002 Edition). Nationally, Louisiana ranks high in terms of death rates due to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes (National Center for Health Statistics Monthly Vital Statistics Report 423 (2), 1993).

According to a study in Obesity Research, Vol.12 No.1 January 04, Louisiana was 8th in the nation in obesity, among the top 6 states in total obesity related medical expenditures and in the top 6 states in Medicaid obesity related expenditures. The study indicated that the estimated total amount of obesity expenditures in Louisiana in 2003 was $1,373,000,000.00 and the estimated amount of Louisiana Medicaid obesity expenditures in 2003 was $525,000,000.00

Childhood obesity is a serious nationwide health problem requiring urgent attention and a community-based prevention approach so that all children may grow up physically and emotionally healthy. Recent estimates suggest that approximately 15% of American children ages 6 and older are overweight with an additional 15% estimated to be at risk (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). A similar trend exists for children ages 2 to 5. Approximately 10% of these children are overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004) and 19% are at risk.

Caregivers' belief and practices about child feeding is associated with the development of childhood obesity (Trolano et al, 1995). Poor eating habits and lack of physical activity are often established early in life. Intervention that provides caregivers with limited resources nutrition education and physical activity knowledge can help to prevent or delay disease in children in early ages (McGinnis & Neslle, 1989). Therefore, it is important caregivers to enhance their knowledge by:

1. Attending nutrition education classes on the regular basis



2. Selecting and purchasing healthy foods
• Get familiar with healthier choices such as whole grain etc.
• Take the children shopping and teach them about selecting healthier foods
• Shop for more fruits and vegetables
• Buy skim milk instead of whole (not recommended for children under two years old)
• Read nutrition food fact labels and show the children how to pay attention to the labels



3. Preparing healthy balanced foods and meals
• Choosing better cooking oil (with less saturated and Trans fatty acids) instead of lard
• Incorporate more vegetables and fruits in the daily meals
• Choose extra lean ground beef
• Trim away all the visible fats from meats and poultry before cooking
• Prepare foods without high fat sauces and gravies
• Watch cooking demonstrations that use healthy choices ingredients



4. Providing companionship at meal times
• Have more cooked meals at home with children involve in cooking
• Practice regular meal time
• Eat slowly and enjoy the meal time
• Use serving spoons and serving cups to emphasize the appropriate serving sizes



5. Scheduling healthy snacks between meal
• Use fruits and vegetables as snack
• Make a dip for fruits and vegetables from yogurt
• Make fruit yogurt smoothies in the blender



6. Reducing foods and snack foods that are stimulants for overeating such as potato chips, candies and cookies



7. Creating opportunities for physical activities (trip to parks, playgrounds)
• Have different types of balls, jump ropes, hula hoops, etc, around the house
• Participate in exercise and physical activity on a daily basis



8. Scheduling regular check ups with pediatricians/doctors

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For more information, contact : Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Food Science and Nutrition, (225) 770-2262 ext. 265, or fatemeh_malekian@suagcenter.com