Raising Healthy Kids in the Land of Drive-By Dinners and High-Tech Toys

by Barbara Wray
Photography by Barton Wilder Custom Images

"Yuck!

I'm not eating this." Ah, the sound of dinner being served in homes across America. Okay, so some kids actually beg for asparagus. But those children live in other people's houses. The rest of us cajole, coerce, and otherwise bribe or threaten our kids into consuming their vegetable quota for the day. Some of our ploys work; our kids even like certain vegetables. Some days we don't even try. But when we're determined, we've been known to shred and otherwise camouflage the nutritional gems, all in the name of growing healthy children. Exasperating as the great veggie capers may be, parenting would be a breeze if this were our only challenge.

Selling the benefits and "yummy-ness" of carrots and other healthy foods pales in comparison to addressing the encompassing question of how to raise a healthy, happy, and balanced child. Some days this requires more of us than we have to give. But it's important to remember that even little changes can make a big difference. The effort is worthwhile because, after all, who really wants to raise (or live with) a child who is anything but happy, healthy, and balanced?

Companies with massive marketing budgets are competing for kids' attention from the time they're toddlers. Picture Ronald McDonald or dancing M&Ms. So maybe daddy made oatmeal fun when the spoon swooped around like an airplane. But, kids hit elementary school and encounter the hot new pop divas hawking soft drinks. Middle-school students need look no further than the vending machines lining the school hallways, or the advertising-emblazoned wall surrounding the ball field, to start hearing those advertising jingles and getting a little thirsty. Television, radio, magazines, and the Internet are doing an extraordinary job of grabbing kids' attention with glitzy, tightly targeted ad campaigns. And while the advertisers pay a price, so do the children.

The results of a 1999-2000 study conducted by Karen Coleman, PhD, of the University of Texas at El Paso, are startling. The newest national rates of obesity for children ages six to eleven are thirteen percent. In the three Austin Independent School District (AISD) elementary schools included in Coleman's study, the rate of obesity in second graders was twenty-five percent-almost double the national average. Even more alarming, the rates of obesity and overweight in the AISD schools increased significantly for first- and second-graders during the course of just one school year.

According to the American Cancer Society, overweight children and adolescents are at greater risk of becoming overweight adults. Behaviors such as tobacco use, poor eating habits, and physical inactivity greatly increase a child's risk of getting cancer in adulthood. For many kids, these and other harmful habits are already well established by the time they turn thirteen. And almost two-thirds of cancers could be prevented if these behaviors were never started. But when you're tired and trying to get three kids to guitar and karate lessons four nights a week, drive-through dinners for less than three bucks apiece (and no dishes to wash) are darn tempting.

What's a parent to do?

Planning ahead for "grab it and go" items can make it easier to steer clear of low-nutrition, high-fat, fast food. Mother of two Koren Bowie keeps a kid's snack box filled to the brim with granola bars, raisins, and peanut-butter crackers, and the refrigerator stocked with applesauce, yogurt, and pudding. "Road warriors" might even consider stashing a container of nonperishable snacks in the car.

But even healthy food on the run has potential drawbacks. A survey of National Merit Scholars revealed a common thread of regular family meals. Not schooling or economic status, but eating dinner with the family three or four nights per week, may contribute to academic success.

For those struggling to reach the veggie quota, try Bowie's tactic of serving a side of ranch dressing dip. Her kids also enjoy pretzels dipped in peanut butter; tuna and crackers; strawberries with powdered sugar; apples with caramel; and hummus with pita bread.

It may also be helpful to get the kids to make a list of their favorite healthy foods so mom and dad can serve them often.

Shelly Van Dyke and her husband, Alan, focus on eating five fruits and vegetables every day, with at least one consumed at each meal. Keeping a varied selection on hand helps.

"The best way to get our kids to eat nutritiously even when they are away from us is for us to eat nutritiously when we are with them, and to get them involved in cooking or preparing the meal," says Van Dyke, mother of three school-age children.

Penny McRoberts says her daughters enjoy frozen grapes and pineapple chunks, and apples with peanut butter or cheese. "Bananas are always yummy alone, or topped with yogurt and granola, or even a few chocolate chips thrown on top for good measure." McRoberts and her girls read labels, and when it comes to "treat" time, one serving per day is the limit.

Van Dyke subscribes to the daily practice of "OAS," or "outside after school."

"Exercise is very important in our family since we have a family history of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, and one of our kids has juvenile diabetes. The kids need to have a lifelong habit of exercise developed."

Parents can find hundreds of structured activities simply by checking the phone book or Internet, or by querying other parents at school. And when it comes to schools, one Austin elementary school offers a shining beacon for kid's health.

Ask the students at Gullett Elementary School to describe "Ms. Brauss" and they'll earnestly tell you, "She's the best PE (physical education) teacher in the world." Patti Brauss inspires children to move for the sheer joy of it. And that's the secret.

"She always has fun games for us to play and makes learning fun," says ten-year-old Danielle Johnson.

"I want to offer basic skill instruction so they can experience success when they do a physical activity. And I want to instill a love of movement when they're young that isn't just tied to a sport, but that helps them to be comfortable in their body and to love the feeling of activity. A knowledge base alone won't do it. They have to learn it kinesthetically and the teacher has to do it too," says Brauss.

And she does. With every class, all day long. Upbeat music spilling into the hallway beckons. From the minute the kids enter the gym, they're geared to go. And when it's time for a breather, she's "selling carrots" … plus four other vegetables or fruits every day. Brauss teaches yoga, tennis, volleyball, and a host of activities that can be played not only during the school years but for a lifetime.

Gullett student Kate Van Dyke loved learning to roller skate. "Ms. Brauss is really nice, and she had a way to make it fun whether you are good or bad at it…. (And she taught me to) find a way to exercise every day."

Classmate Amber Day says the most important thing she's learned is that exercise can be fun. "When we're old, we won't sit around and watch TV all day."

Scores of Brauss' charges have participated in area marathons and triathlons for children.

"It's generally easy to get them going at the elementary level. What's a shock is how different that is when they reach adolescence. No matter how neat it is in elementary school, there's peer pressure (against exercise) in middle school. The instruction is different at those levels, class sizes are larger and more intimidating, and more competitively focused," Brauss says.

Exercise beyond sports

Baker Harrell, principal in Evolve Fitness Inc., says that traditionally, if a kid didn't play a ball sport, they were largely left out of the system and he's working to change that.

"Often, the youth sports system requires a kid to fit into a mold and become very competitive at a young age. It's important to find things you can do now and later in life."

Harrell's Austin-based company does fitness training for adults and this year initiated Adventure Summer Camps for kids ages ten to fifteen. The half-day camps incorporate hiking, obstacle courses, outdoor strength training, rock climbing, yoga, and Pilates. Some sessions also include biking and kayaking.

Working on his doctorate in children's health and interactive technology at the University of Texas, Harrell says it's critical to understand the role that interactive technology plays in the everyday lives of kids. Harrell's studies include a design for video games that encourage movement by making the child-rather than the joystick-the controller. Keep the technology, but get the kids out of the chair.

"My fear is that parents don't understand how bad the obesity epidemic is with kids. The culture of today's youth is why, and parents don't understand how important interactive technology is to kids. It's unrealistic to tell them not to use it, but (it's important) to create a situation with time limits and helping kids to become more aware of how much they're using the technology versus being active. For every hour they use the technology, have them go play for two."

Koren Bowie balances technology time with reading or active play. She encourages reading by keeping an appealing library at home. And remember, even a super-size bag of books is free at the library.

If structured sports don't suit your child-or budget-check out the many hike-and-bike trails around town. Take the kids to a different playground or park and bring along a basketball. Stock a box of fun equipment like Frisbees, jump ropes, and an assortment of balls. Turn the backyard into an obstacle course. Check out an exercise video from the library or go the pool. Make it fun!

School nutrition initiatives

Parents provide most meals for their children, but how's the nutritional picture while they're in school? Judging from the trays in some cafeterias, the lunch items actually consumed are often something fried, ketchup, and ice cream. In middle school, five days of pizza and soda. Fortunately, that landscape is shifting in some schools.

John C. VanDever III, child nutrition director for Eanes Independent School District, implemented a pilot program in two elementary schools last year. Grades K-2 were offered a set tray of five menu items. Both pilots reduced the number of higher sugar, à la carte extras and introduced new à la carte items including string cheese, yogurt, bagels, soup, and baked potatoes.

"The amount of government commodities used was cut in half, snack sales plummeted, milk sales increased, and the amount of produce we served has doubled," says VanDever.

Secondary schools now feature salad bars with an extensive selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fryers have been removed.

"Eanes does not have a big problem with obesity. The community is aware of nutrition and they tend to eat well at home," VanDever says. On the other hand, he says, parents have been unhappy with the food their children could get at school.

Susan Millea, PhD, who chairs the Austin Independent School District's School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), says the SHAC nutrition committee has developed a five-year plan for improving nutrition on campuses.

"It's voluntary with a target of five campuses coming forward as early adopters this year. Looks like we will easily exceed that goal."

Schools are striving to educate kids on the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise. Some cafeterias are in step with that effort. But wait, what is that in the hallway? Looks like a vending machine, but it's really a new computer lab.

The financial benefits derived from snack machines are compelling for secondary schools straining against budget cuts and rising costs. Some schools have removed the machines. Others have distanced them from the cafeteria, or turned them off during lunch. A handful of schools keep the machines on during lunch, but turn them off for the afternoon. Most continue to struggle with how to best address the need for school improvements and student health.

Richard Dyer, community education director at Eanes ISD, says, "How can we still get revenue but make sure we're not poisoning the kids in their choices? There are major obstacles to conquer there…I think the answer lies more on education than eliminating availability."

Kids need time to relax, too

So, the kids are eating five or more fruits and vegetables a day. They're active. Now check your calendar. Is it color-coded by child, activity and captain of that day's carpool? While some children thrive in a jam-packed environment of homework and as many activities as the day can hold, others need more downtime.

Diane and Phillip Johnson have two elementary age daughters and hold their extracurricular activities at two apiece.

"Even with this limit we seem to be going all the time, so we really think any more than two activities would be pushing the kids too much and not allow for any free time. We think it is important for the kids to be capable of slowing down and spending quiet time at home reading, drawing, coloring, watching TV or a movie."

For children, and for adults, balance can be elusive. In addition to nutrition and exercise, balance begs for solitude, community, education, spirituality, and family. Balance is about bringing these things, and others, together in healthy proportions.

Koren Bowie says, "Realize that our kids are as unique as we are as adults and deserve to be treated with respect. Listen to them and to what your parental instincts tell you. Don't be afraid to be a parent. There are things we do and have our kids do that may not be exactly what they would choose, but are in their best interest in the long run. Don't be afraid to say no-to too much of whatever it is that you don't feel comfortable with."

So "sell a few carrots" today. Unplug the activity machine and snuggle up with your children and a great book. Ground your kids in a faith and a values system that will sustain them. Take a family walk. Stock the kitchen with plenty of enticing fruits and veggies and don't leave home without water bottles for everyone. This work of parenting may be the most important work you do in your life, and your kids will thank you one day for giving them such a healthy start in theirs.

Barbara Wray, an Austin-based freelance writer, has successfully sold carrots, and just about every type of fruit, to her (happy, healthy and balanced, of course) fifth-grade daughter. She has made inroads on the sale of green vegetables-though most of the portions only are visible under a microscope. You may e-mail Barbara at bwray@goodlifemag.com.

Resources

Austin Summer 2003-An extensive listing of summer camps, programs, and school year activities, www.austinsummer.org/all.cfm.

Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine-Nutrition information for children and teens, calculators, and links to a wealth of information, including eating disorders and sports nutrition, www.kidsnutrition.org.

Evolve Fitness Inc.-Fitness training for adults and Adventure Summer Camps for children, 512-289-5364, www.icanevolve.com.

Healthy Schools Healthy Kids-Sponsored by the Texas American Cancer Society, this web site provides school health information for parents, children and educators, www.schoolhealth.info, 1-800-ACS-2345.

Kids Health-Doctor-approved health information for children through adolescence, www.kidshealth.com/parent/nutrition_fit/index.html.

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion-Health information for elementary and middle-school children, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/index.htm.

-Barbara Wray