Childhood obesity in Hawai‘i and the rest of the country continues to be a
health epidemic, leading to an increase in type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
To help children maintain a healthy weight, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
created an educational program called
We Can! Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition. The program
is designed for parents of children between the ages of 8 and 13 to help promote
healthy diets and physically active lifestyles for their families.
The program focuses on three important behaviors that support a healthy lifestyle:
improved food choices, increased physical activity, and reduced screen time. The
Live It section of the site includes an Energy In, Energy Out chart that shows how
to balance diet and calorie intake and exercise through simple lifestyle adjustments.
The site promotes a Go, Slow, and Whoa approach to food, which helps parents classify
foods that should be consumed regularly, often or sparingly.
We Can! also provides information and tips on fun activities that keep children
physically fit. Parents can learn how to reduce the time their children spend watching
TV and movies and playing video games, and instead encourage them to engage in sports
and other activities.
The site also features links to information and news updates on We Can! partners,
community sites and initiatives all over the nation. Parents can learn what other
communities are doing to prevent childhood obesity and become inspired to get involved
within their own neighborhoods.
We’d love to hear from you.
If you know a web site that focuses on health, family, food or fun, email it to feedback@islandscene.com and we may review it for Island Scene Online.