Eating Healthy is a Family Thing

I have always thought of our household as one that tries to eat healthy. Being the primary chef of the household, I do most of the shopping and tend to spend most of my time grocery shopping in the produce and meat department. Typically, my children are with me at the grocery store. A few months ago I randomly starting picking up vegetables at the store and asked my daughter what each one was. I was happy that she got them all right, except cauliflower. I asked a preteen patient in clinic a few months ago where French fries came from and was not overly shocked to learn that he did not know. Sad, but true.

We recently joined a local, organic farmer’s cooperative and get a produce shipment every other week. I never would have thought my children would get so excited to go pick up our box and see what things are inside. It has made them more willing to try things and expanded the repertoire of menu items we now all eat at home as sometimes the box contains something I would not have bought.

Obesity is a big problem in this country. The fast food industry is so ready to provide easy options but most of the time; the choices people make are not the healthy ones.

Here are some striking statistics:

• Since the 1970s, childhood obesity (defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex) has more than tripled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• About 12 to 18 percent of 2- to 19-year-olds are obese, putting them at higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes.

One of the ways Group Health is trying to tackle this epidemic is via the Family Wellness Pilot Program led by Dr. Sarah Rudnick, our Bellevue Pediatrician. The pilot is cited in the 2009 annual report. As one can imagine, the change involves getting the entire family involved.

Much credit should also be noted for First Lady Michelle Obama and the “Let’s Move!” campaign to promote family wellness has guidelines for healthier family eating.

Don’t be afraid to grab a new veggie next time you are at the grocery store- you can find hundreds of ideas and recipes online.