In spite of decades of anti-obesity programming, awareness of negative health outcomes associated with obesity, and attention from very important individuals – including First Lady Michelle Obama – the obesity epidemic continues to worsen nationally, hitting African-American families the hardest.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every four Black children is overweight, compared to one in seven white children. Research indicates that over 20% of 4 year olds are obese, with the highest numbers among Black and Latino children, while among Black teenage girls ages 12 to 19, more than 40% are overweight or at risk of being overweight. The dramatic upsurge in overweight children is being fueled by several different factors such as income level, access to grocery stores that provide healthy choices, neighborhood safety and education; these factors have continued to decrease opportunities for physical activity and increase the availability and affordability of snack foods that are high-calorie and low-nutritional value in Black communities.

Programs and policies designed to combat these problems have been met with limited success, in part because they have failed to take cultural and racial perceptions of obesity and anti-obesity messages into account. We must find better ways to fight child obesity in the Black community!

At the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), we believe that culturally-relevant, long-term interventions which aim to impact obesity in young children by working with their parents and caregivers are the most promising approach to decreasing the incidence of obesity over time. With support from the Walmart Foundation, NBCDI has developed an education campaign designed to encourage healthy nutrition practices specifically among Black families with young children. In the first year of the project, NBCDI was able to strengthen and support existing nutrition campaigns, heightening the visibility and effectiveness of these programs in Black communities; and pilot in-depth healthy living strategies in multiple states. Working in partnership with local child care centers, schools and community-based organizations, as well as with our BCDI affiliates, campaign creators, national groups and leading experts in the child nutrition and health fields, NBCDI has been able to reach over 7,500 Black children and their families. By working with parents and caregivers, at home and in the classrooms, NBCDI is working to create lasting nutrition education curricula and materials, as well as additional strategies that effectively and successfully connect positive nutrition messages and actions with traditionally hard-to-reach Black families and communities in Philadelphia, PA; Greensboro, NC; Milwaukee, WI; Atlanta, GA; and Fort Lauderdale, FL.

In honor of Black History Month, NBCDI encourages everyone to take the time to begin practicing healthier eating habits and to embark on a routine physical activity regiment with our families. Remember, making healthy nutrition choices does not have to mean that all you can eat are leaves and rice cakes! Practicing healthy portion sizes and a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy, and selecting foods that are low in sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol and high in vitamins and fiber is the key to healthy nutrition. For instance, instead of choosing the regular pasta, select the wholegrain pasta; it has more nutrients and still the same great taste! Take your child with you to the grocery store and have them practice and get in the habit of selecting healthy foods. You also want to make sure that your child observes you eating nutritious foods. This is important, because most children mirror what we do as parents. Also, there are many fun and nutritious recipes that you and your family can make and eat together.

There are many creative things that you can do with your children to increase the level of physical fitness in your lives. In addition to sports, walking and playing outside, video gaming systems often have several physical activity games that can be played with the entire family that are fun and that will get your heart pumping! Take the time to be active, both outside and inside, with your children and make sure they see you exercising. Again, children mimic the behaviors that they see, so it is imperative that we set good examples.

If we promise to take the time to educate ourselves and our children on making nutritious food choices along with staying disciplined in being physically active, we will be one step closer to reversing the obesity epidemic that has plagued our community and endangered the health of our children and families. Remember, as First Lady Michelle Obama says, “Let’s Move!”