Building Healthy Habits for Life with Let's Go!
The prevalence of obesity in Hancock County is 20% for middle school students, 15% for high school students, students, and 30% for adults. The prevalence of obesity in Washington County is 18% for middle school students, 20% for high school students, and 37% for adults. Early interventions for obesity prevention can help children and adults develop healthy habits and maintain a healthy weight throughout their lives and lower their risk for developing health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
This is why local Let’s Go! program coordinators like Healthy Acadia work with community partners across the state to promote healthy eating and active living.
Launched in 2006, Let’s Go! is a MaineHealth community engagement initiative working with communities to create environments that support healthy choices. Evidence-based strategies are used to promote policy, systems, and environmental changes that facilitate healthy eating and active living (HEAL) in early care and education programs, schools, out-of-school programs and health care practices across Maine. Healthy Acadia provides Let’s Go resources and engages communities in Hancock and Washington counties in Let’s Go! programming and activities.
There are several early interventions that can help prevent obesity in children, including:
Encouraging healthy eating habits: Encourage children to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Parents and caregivers can model healthy eating habits and limit access to high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar foods.
Promoting physical activity: Encourage children to engage in physical activity regularly. This can include structured activities like sports or dance classes, as well as unstructured play like riding bikes or playing tag. Parents and caregivers can also limit screen time and encourage outdoor play.
Breastfeeding: Studies have shown that breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Breast milk provides the perfect balance of nutrients and helps regulate appetite and metabolism.
Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for overall health and can help prevent obesity. Encourage children to establish a regular sleep schedule and limit screen time before bed.
Family meals: Eating meals together as a family can help promote healthy eating habits and prevent obesity. Family meals provide an opportunity to model healthy eating habits and encourage children to try new foods.
Early screening: Healthcare providers can screen children for obesity at an early age and provide interventions if necessary. This can include counseling on healthy eating and physical activity habits, as well as referrals to specialists if needed.
Early interventions have a life long impact on health. Click here to read the 2022 Let’s Go! Impact Report for Hancock and Washington counties. Click here to learn more about Let’s Go! or contact Sandy Fortin at sandy.fortin@healthyacadia.org.