On May 21st, the City of Chula Vista launched the San Diego County Obesity Initiative’s latest campaign against childhood obesity, meant to target school ages kids in the South Bay area; a location with one of the highest obesity rates in the county. Aqui es Texcoco restaurant has been in partnership with the movement toward healthier children’s meals since opening its doors of its first location “north-of-the-border.”
What is 5210?
5 – or more servings of fruits & vegetables
2 – hours or less recreational screen time
1 – hour or more of physical activity
0 – sugary drinks (more water & low fat milk)
The original 5210 program began in the state of Maine and, after its proven rate of success, has spread across our entire nation. With one in 4 girls, and 1 in three boys teetering into the obesity range, Chula Vista elementary school district’s Superintendent, Francesco Escobedo says, “It’s not an issue of should we do this, it’s a moral imperative – we have to do this!”
Doing Your Part
As parents and community members, it’s up to all of us to be a part of the solution – and make sure we aren’t contributing to the problem. At Aqui es Texcoco, our children’s menu features an affordable and healthy choice selection that kids can enjoy and parents can be proud to offer them. At only $4.25, children ten and younger can select 1 entrée (lamb broth soup, cheese quesadilla, or lamb taco), a side dish (of fresh fruit, beans, yogurt or guacamole and cactus salad), plus a healthy beverage of apple juice, club soda, homemade “horchata” (rice milk) or Jamaica (hibiscus) flavored water.
Cheryl Moder, Director of the SDCOI, is hoping San Diegans will get with the program. She feels, “It is a simple message that will be easily followed as long as we create an environment that supports health.” For brochures, flyers and other free branded materials for schools, childcare centers and more, be sure to visit 5210sandiego.org.
Changing Times
There probably isn’t a parent out there who doesn’t have at least a little roll of fat they’d like to pretend didn’t exist. You wear your shirts out and your pants baggy because that’s the style, right? Unfortunately, a lot of excess body fat is not a healthy thing, no matter whether it gets in your way or not. These days our kids are piling on the pounds faster than you can say drive-through fast food. It has to stop somewhere, and it’s about time to we drew the proverbial “line in the sand” and acted like our child’s life depended on it – because it just might.