By all accounts, childhood nutrition and obesity have moved to the forefront of America’s thinking.  Since the 1970s, the number of overweight children has doubled; for boys and girls ages 6-11 it has more than tripled. At the same time, the numbers of Americans grappling with hunger is also setting records.  It seems contradictory that hunger and obesity can exist at the same time, but those who cannot regularly afford food can still be overweight. In many cases, it comes down to nutrition – a lack of understandin upon sociological, psychological and economic factors.

Poor diet and nutrition are some of the major issues addressed by the TLC Health Center at Kids in Crisis, staffed full time by Nurse Practitioner Peg Lennon. She knows firsthand the many ways poor nutrition manifests itself in children, including diabetes, sleep apnea, tooth decay, anemia, delayed growth and poor performance in school. Diagnosing and addressing dietary issues is a key element of Peg’s evaluation of each child who comes to the Agency. “During a child’s initial physical exam, I review their intakes – fruits, vegetables, proteins and junk food. I don’t lecture, but rather discuss a ‘life in moderation’ philosophy,” says Peg. “We talk about the variety of foods they need in their diets; for those kids who really don’t have a good handle on what they are eating, we make a plan to meet weekly to review a personal food journal.

Sometimes they don’t see and understand their food choices clearly until they write it down.” Many teens skip breakfast because they don’t have the time or are trying to lose weight. “Here we try to explain that breakfast is a meal for energy, that lunch doesn’t have to be junk food in a crowded lunchroom – if time is limited, then yogurt, fruit, a granola bar and water goes with them in the morning.” The emphasis shifts more to meals and away from snacks in between meals.

Kids in Crisis practices what it preaches.  Children staying at the Teen House and Crisis Nursery see that nutrition and diet are an important part of the care they receive. Sweets are limited to once a week (Fridays), soda is forbidden and juice is served only a breakfast. Second helpings at dinner are offered only after everything is eaten, including vegetables. Dessert and snack choices are limited to different types of fruit.  “If healthy snacks are available, kids eat it – including cut up veggies, popcorn or yogurt,” Peg adds. Exercise options are also part of the Kids in Crisis diet. In addition to the on-site ball court, residents are able to use the facilities at the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich, as well as local public facilities including skating rinks
and parks, for regular exercise. In-house yoga and dance classes are also offered weekly. Many afternoons, Counselors will round up Teens for a simple 1/2-hour walk around the neighborhood. “We stress that exercise should be part of our everyday lives to keep us physically and mentally healthy,” says Peg.

In a recent New York Times op-ed piece, restauranteur Alice Waters said, “Children’s eating habits stay with them for the rest of their lives. The best way to defeat the obesity epidemic is to teach children about food – and thereby prevent them from ever becoming obese.” Overall, the diet and exercise program at Kids in Crisis serves up good nutritional information and example, hopefully leading to healthier lifestyle choices among our children.