Childhood Obesity Resources

Today, more than 18 percent of children in America are affected by or have obesity. For many parents and caregivers, it can seem as though there are more questions about childhood obesity than there are answers.

Along with the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), many organizations have written articles, issued statements, done research and created websites for parents and teens to use to become better educated about childhood obesity. The table below includes many of these resources.

The first two sections of resources and articles were created by the OAC and are located here on the OAC website. The other sections include links to resources from other organizations as well as book lists for children and teens.

 

 

Understanding Childhood Obesity

This link includes:

• An in-depth look at childhood obesity, its causes, how to measure it and more.
• Information on childhood obesity stigma and how you can combat it.

 

 

Childhood Obesity Resource Articles

This link includes:

• Kid’s Corner Articles – family-friendly articles that generally include activities, tips, and recipes.
• Resource Articles – these are written for parents and caregivers and cover topics from causes and treatment to bullying.

 

 

The links listed below are for organizations and resources outside the OAC. These links can provide helpful information, but the OAC is not responsible for the content and language used in these materials.

• Healthy Children: Powered by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• STOP Obesity Alliance: Resources for families include a page on Schools, Families, and Communities as well as a page on Weight Bias and Stigma
• UCONN Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity: Resources for families include a page on Schools, Families and Communities. as well as a page on Weight Bias and Stigma
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Resources for families include a page focused on kids with recipes, tips and articles
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight
• World Health Organization (WHO):: New WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age
• National Institute of Health (NIH): We Can! Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition
• National Institute of Health (NIH): Helping Your Child
• Healthy Habits for Life: Produced by SesameWorkshop
• National Institute of Health (NIH): Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers
• Nutrition.gov: Powered by the USDA: Nutrition Information for all life stages
• Stomp Out Bullying

 

 

 

The following are picture books to share with children while they learn about food and healthy eating.

• “My Very First Book of Food” by Eric Carle
• “Growing Vegetable Soup” by Lois Ehlert
• “Eating the Alphabet” by Lois Ehlert
• “Gregory, the Terrible Eater” by Mitchell Sharmat
• “I Will Never Eat a Tomato” (Charlie and Lola series) by Lauren Child
• “The Vegetables We Eat” by Gail Gibbons
• “The Boy Who Loved Broccoli” by Sarah A. Creighton
• “Dragons Love Tacos” and “Dragons Love Tacos 2” by Adam Rubin
• “Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition” by Lizzy Rockwell

 

 

The following are resource guides, novels and cookbooks for teens and their parents or caregivers to learn about healthy eating and food choices.

• “Fueling the Teen Machine” by Ellen Shanley
• “Eating Mindfully for Teens” by Susan Albers, PsyD
• “YOU: The Owner’s Manual for Teens” by Michael Roizen, MD
• “Eat Like a Champion: Performance Nutrition for Your Young Athlete” by Jill Castle, MS, RDN, CDN
• “Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost One Byte at a Time” by Taylor LeBaron
• “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What You Eat” (Young Reader’s Edition) by Michael Pollan
• “A Smart Girl’s Guide: Cooking” by Patricia Daniels