San Diego parents searching for restaurants with a tasty and healthier kids menu can breathe a little easier. Aqui es Texcoco in Chula Vista has created a special child’s menu in partnership with Healthy Kids Choice, California Endowment, Chula Vista Community Collaborative, and San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative to help fight childhood obesity.
It’s hard to imagine that only last summer McDonalds made real changes to its happy meals for kids – adding a fruit or vegetable, and merely shrinking the size of its side of French fries. Meanwhile at Aqui es Texcoco, for only $4.25 children 10 and under can choose from one entrée (lamb taco, cheese quesadilla, or lamb broth soup), a side dish (fresh fruit, beans, yogurt, or guacamole and cactus salad), and a beverage of apple juice, club soda, or homemade horchata or Jamaica.
Look at the Facts
Childhood obesity has more than tripled over the last thirty years, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity increased in U.S. kids aged 6-11 years, from 7% in 1980 to almost 20% by 2008. Adolescent obesity increased from 5% to 18% in the same timeframe – essentially one-third of kids 6-19 were overweight or obese in 2008!
Some of the bad health effects of childhood obesity are high blood pressure and cholesterol, pre-diabetes, as well as sleep apnea and social or psychological problems like bullying or poor self esteem. As these severely overweight children grow into adulthood, they are pre-disposed to remain obese – and many will end up with heart disease, cancer or osteoarthritis. These precious kids will experience a lot of heartache and a stressful lifestyle, without really knowing what happened to them or why.
An Ounce of Prevention…
We need to create healthy lifestyle habits in our young children; teach them to make wise choices from the many offered. Remember that lots of school budget cuts have decreased or eliminated physical education, which in many cases may have been your child’s only exercise for the day. Increase their outdoor activities with outdoor play; invite neighbor kids to join in, or trade “play dates” with other parents in your circle of friends.
The San Diego Zoo, and its Children’s Petting Zoo, are both physically challenging and a great adventure for kids of all ages — at a relatively small cost. The entire County has plentiful parks and beaches; there are hundreds of opportunities for swimming, paddling, badminton, volleyball, or simply walking and jogging along its many paths and shores. Check local recreation centers, schools and churches for special outings and competitive events for your children.
If our children truly are our future, the investment we make in their health now will come back to them – and us – tenfold. It doesn’t take rocket science for we parents to know what’s really good for our kids, and what is not. When we slow down and pay attention to the red flags, our hearts and minds will do the right thing.