Obesity is a public health epidemic that impacts both adults and children: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed, as published in JAMA Pediatrics, that one out of every three children in the U.S. is considered overweight or obese. According to findings from Arizona State University, Hispanics in the U.S. have high obesity rates, with an estimated 55 percent qualifying to fit in that category.
But a new study has some interesting findings surrounding how children perceive their weight. Conducted by the CDC, the new study found that heavy and obese children did not view themselves as such -- they saw themselves as having a normal weight. This "misperception" was more commonly found in African America and Mexican-American children (34 percent) than their Caucasian peers (28 percent).
Recently, a new report by the CDC, examining weight gain amongst students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds over the summer, has made a surprising finding: Hispanic children are more likely to put on weight during vacation than their peers of other races.
In an effort to promote healthy living, the Walmart Foundation has created a summer-long initiative to encourage families to engage in healthy-eating. Part of the initiative is a $15 million donation in grants to provide nutrition education and meals to 1.4 million children and families across the country. Chef Lorena García, renowned chef and author with TV appearances on BRAVO’s “Top Chef Masters” and NBC’s “Biggest Loser," has collaborated with Walmart for this endeavor and spoke with Latin Times to share her tips for getting children to eat healthy foods.
Latin Times: Why do you think it is such a struggle for parents to get their kids to eat healthy foods?
Lorena García: When kids are in school we rely on their menus for the children but when they're out of school, parents are usually working and taking the time is one of those things that is a challenge. Summer is one of those times where the parents always struggle to control what the kids are eating. That's why patterning up with the Walmart Foundation and the Eat Healthy Together Challenge is a great initiative to join for children and how they are eating in the summer.
LT: What steps do you think parents can implement to make their children's diets more healthy?
LG: There are a few things they can do. First of all, engaging them when it comes time to go to the supermarket and teaching them about different ingredients is helpful. What I love to do is play different games -- they have to go treasure hunting to find different fruits and vegetables to get them engaged in the process. And then when you come home, make them participate in making the food and preparing it with you. When they have participated, they have more ownership of the process and they are more inclined to trying new things when they start to eat. I think it is the perfect opportunity for parents to include their children.
Another thing is I chose different carriers. For example, if a kid loves pizza then what I will do is I make a tomato sauce with 12 different vegetables, herbs and spices so that kids get introduced to new flavors and ingredients through the dishes that they already know. It's a great way to present healthy food through the process of cooking -- where the food is coming from and how it is prepared -- at an early age.
LT: What tip would you give parents who are always on the go?
LG: The first thing is to invite your kids to pick out their favorite foods or flavors. Make them pick what they want to eat that day based on color and shape, and get adventurous in the kitchen. I think color and shape are things kids gravitate to. Same with herbs -- one of the things I love to do with my nephews and nieces is to close my eyes, start smelling herbs and guessing what they are. They think it is magic when I start naming the different herbs and spices. I like to engage kids in games that help in the process of trying new foods. Again, when they are part of the process they are more likely to sit down and try the new food.
LT: Oftentimes eating healthy is synonymous with higher cost. How can families keep their budget and eat healthy?
LG: I think eating healthy has to become a way of being and when you think of "eating healthy" you think of a diet. I think the idea of eating healthy being expensive is just a myth because even with ingredients that you already have, you can change the process of cooking. For example, instead of frying chicken you can put it in the oven. So playing with the process will help and in the end of the day, it will cost you the same amount of money but you have a little bit more control of what your kids are eating. Another tip is to practice portion control -- I think controlling the size of the portion is a big part of eating healthy without breaking your budget.
LT: Do you have a list of top foods that are no-no's for kids? If yes, what are they?
LG: I think foods with high levels of sugar are a big no-no. Sometimes we forget about it but a lot of sugary items can get them too hyper. I stay away from sugar, refined or processed foods and foods with a lot of fat. I think you gain so much more by going for the basics. If you go to the basics of cooking and keep it simple, then eating healthy is not difficult.
LT: When it comes to beverages, what would you recommend for children?
LG: When I'm home and my nephews and my nieces come over, what I like to do is flavor water. I take fruits -- pineapples, oranges, and lemons -- to flavor water. I think kids will gravitate to that. If you use fruits at their highest level of ripeness then you won't need to add any extra sugar. Another thing I love is making your soda using seltzer water. Again, I think once we control the ingredients we use, we accomplish our goals.
You can learn more about Lorena García on her website and follow her on Twitter (@lorenagarcia). To take part in the Walmart challenge, follow @WalmartHealthy on Twitter, and post updates to your Twitter with the hashtags #EatHealthyTogether and #Contest.
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