September

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Sponsor: American College of Sports Medicine

One in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The good news? Childhood obesity can be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for kids to eat healthier and get more active.

Make a difference for kids: spread the word about strategies for preventing childhood obesity and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

How can National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month make a difference?

We can all use this month to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic and show people how they can take steps toward a solution.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Encourage families to make small changes, like keeping fresh fruit within reach or going on a family walk after dinner.
• Motivate teachers and administrators to make schools healthier. Help them provide healthy food options and daily physical activities for students.
• Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by supporting programs to prevent childhood obesity.

How can I help spread the word?

We’ve made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:

• Add information about obesity prevention to your newsletter.
• Tweet about National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
• Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources.

• Sample Announcement
• Sample Tweets
• E-cards
• Web Badge
• Get Involved
• Share These Resources
• More Information

Get the Word Out

Get Involved

Take action to increase awareness about childhood obesity.

1. Host a community event in a local park to get neighborhood kids playing outside.
2. Promote farm-to-school programs and school gardens. Encourage schools to join the HealthierUS School Challenge.
3. Host a community event where families can get active while learning about local health and fitness resources.
4. Set an example by talking with family members and friends about eating healthy, getting enough physical activity, and limiting screen time.

Adapted from The American College of Sports Medicine and Let’sMove.gov.
For more information and materials, contact the American College of Sports Medicine at coam@acsm.org.

Share These Resources

Find More Information

• The American College of Sports Medicine
  National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Sponsor
• How Much Physical Activity Do Children Need?
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• 8 Healthy Eating Goals
  The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
• Childhood Overweight and Obesity
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Tips for Getting Active with Your Family
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• MyPlate Kids’ Place
  United States Department of Agriculture
• Healthy Weight Basics
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Nutrition Tools and Resources
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• Campaigns and Informational Approaches to Increase Physical Activity
  Community Preventive Services Task Force