About 1 in 5 (19%) children in the United States has obesity. It is truly a serious health condition.

While there are no simple solutions, there are many ways we at Chattanooga Integrated Medicine Center can support you and your children with their journey to good health!

Many factors can have an impact on childhood obesity, beyond simply eating and physical activity. Sometimes behaviors, genetics, metabolism, family and home environment, and community and social factors can lead to obesity in children. For some children and families, obesity might be influenced by the following:

• Too much time being inactive
• A lack of sleep
• Lack of physical activity
• Easy access to inexpensive, high calorie foods and sugary beverages
• No access to affordable, healthier foods

At Chattanooga Integrated Medicine Center we focus on the entire individual, not just correcting their spinal alignment or relieving structural back pain or knee pain. We spend time with our patients, even our youngest, discussing the benefits of a healthy diet and recommending safe and effective exercise that is both affordable and accessible.

Here are some pointers for parents that can help:

• Be aware of your child’s growth and learn how obesity is measured in children. We can help you understand the guidelines.
• Provide nutritious, lower-calorie foods such as fruits and vegetables.
• In place of foods high in added sugars and solid fats, try serving fruits and vegetables as snacks.
• Make sure drinking water is always available as a no-calorie alternative to sugary drinks and limit juice intake.
• Help your children get 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
• Make sure your child has healthy sleep habits. Sleep helps improve attention and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and even obesity later in life.
• Be a role model! Eat healthy meals and snacks, and get the right amount of physical activity every day.

If you would like an appointment for you and or your children, give us a call today!

423-400-0003

#savemyknees.net

#savemyback.net