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Beware of "recession obesity"

Don't risk your children's health to save a few bucks.

Obese kids have it tough. They're at risk for health problems -- including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol -- that were once considered "adult" problems but that today's children are developing at alarming rates. That isn't all: Obese kids' emotional, academic and social well-being is jeopardized by their weight.

Yes, trim your budget. But don't sacrifice nutrition.

Now, some of you may think, "My kids aren't overweight, so this doesn't concern me." Not true. The societal impact goes beyond health. Where will we get tomorrow's police officers, firefighters, EMTs and soldiers when the pool of healthy, normal-weight applicants is shrinking? Childhood obesity has far-reaching ramifications for our nation.

To make matters worse, another wrinkle may get added to our country's weight war if we're not careful. It's been called "recession obesity." When economic times are tough, our stress levels rise. Vacation plans are put on hold, old cars are tuned up rather than traded in, and more evenings are spent at home. For many, harder times can mean eating more fast food. It is inexpensive, tasty and immediately gratifying -- things we all like when we're stressed about other issues. But when fast food becomes a family's habit, parents and children shift to higher-calorie, less nutritious meals, and a battle is lost in the weight war.

We can save money and eat nutritiously. If you want to head out to a casual restaurant but are worried about the check, try sharing entrees to conserve both cash and calories. Or plan a family evening around a meal at home. Take the entire family to the grocery store and pick a few nutritious items to prepare together (focus your shopping around the store's perimeter, where the most healthful foods tend to be found). At fast-food restaurants, stick to the lower-calorie, lower-fat menu items.

Bottom line: It's possible to tighten your family's financial belt without expanding waistlines. Just make it a priority. We'll all be better off.

Tedd Mitchell, M.D., is co-author of "Move Yourself: The Cooper Clinic Medical Director's Guide to All the Healing Benefits of Exercise (Even a Little!)."

Want to know more about childhood obesity? Click here.