Let's Go 5-2-1-0

Let’s Go, a program of the Kids CO-OP at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center is working to end childhood obesity. The program main goal is to promote healthy living and smarter eating habits from birth to age 18. The program focuses on six sectors –early childhood, schools, communities, healthcare, after school and workplace.
 

The premise of the program is simple:

• 5 or more fruits/vegetables each day
• 2 hours or less of recreational screen time
• 1 hour or more of physical activity each day
• 0 sugary drinks

Summer was a time children looked forward to attending summer camp, hanging at the pool, and meeting friends outside to play. Today, there are fewer reasons to go out and play these days for children. They have iPads, video games, television, and computers all that take up their leisure time today. The convenience of fast food and the abundance of high calorie and sugary snacks have caused fruits and vegetables to lose their appeal and increase the prevalence of childhood obesity.

This is an excellent program that can be implemented in all households. It is summer break and you can make the decision today that your household will also follow the 5-2-1-0 guidelines. Your children may be resentful at first, but they will thank you later.

We must start building a healthy foundation for our children of how to eat properly and stress the importance of being physically active. Throw out the sugary snacks and drinks; have the children try new fruits and vegetables. Turn the television, computers, and video games off, grab your children and tell them Let’s Go.