Three Basic Changes Go a Long Way to Battle Childhood Obesity

As Tonic has recently reported, the challenge of childhood obesity has a formidable ally in Michelle Obama. The first lady sets out to address the health problem not just as a talented and energetic advocate who has recently conducted meetings on the matter with members of her husband's cabinet, but as a concerned parent as well.

A new study just released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives us the hope that even small and simple changes can lead to a significant improvement in the health and well-being of our children. In fact, as Live Science reports, young children in homes that follow these three simple behavioral guidelines demonstrate a 40% reduction in childhood obesity compared to homes that implemented none of the changes.

The three modifications are simple: have dinners as a family, make sure the kids get enough sleep, and limit the amount of daytime television watched.

Live Science notes that each of these three factors was determined by the CDC to be associated with a decrease in obesity, but found that adopting the suite of three simple modifications brings the best chance of deriving the greatest benefit over time.

Ohio State University epidemiologist Sarah Anderson who led the study is quoted by Live Science in observing the strength of the results:

"The routines were protective even among groups that typically have a high risk for obesity. This is important because it suggests that there's a potential for these routines to be useful targets for obesity prevention in all children."

Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks via flickr