StayWell Guam Inc.

Why It Matters

Nationally, about 1 in 5 children and teens have obesity, roughly 14.7 million young people ages 2 to 19. Compared with children at a healthy weight, kids with obesity face a higher risk of asthma, sleep apnea, joint problems, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Because children with obesity are more likely to carry that weight into adulthood, early prevention is one of the best investments a family can make in a child's long-term health.

The Local Picture

Childhood obesity is very real here at home too. A University of Guam-led study of 865 island children aged 2 to 8 found that more than 1 in 4 (27.4%) were affected by overweight or obesity. The same study found that most kids were not meeting basic health recommendations. Many were not getting enough sleep, were spending well over the recommended amount of time on screens, were not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and were regularly drinking sugary beverages. Kids who drank more sugary beverages were more likely to be affected by excess weight, and children with overweight or obesity were also more likely to have trouble sleeping. Easy access to convenience foods, sugary drinks, and screens are part of everyday island life, which makes building healthy habits at home even more important. The good news: small, consistent changes really do add up.

Simple Habits Families Can Build Together

1. Eat real food together. Fill the table with protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy without added sugar. Frozen and canned produce is an easy, affordable way to add more fruits and veggies.
2. Rethink the drink. Swap soda, fruit drinks, and flavored milk for water or plain unsweetened milk. Sugary drinks are the top source of added sugar in kids' diets, and children under 11 shouldn't have any added sugar at all.
3. Move more together. Kids ages 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of activity a day, and it does not have to happen all at once. Walking the dog, biking, outdoor games, or even chores like sweeping all count.
4. Protect sleep.Preschoolers need 10–13 hours, kids 6–12 need 9–12 hours, and teens need 8–10 hours a night. A consistent bedtime, even on weekends, helps.
5. Cut back on screens.Turning screens off an hour before bed and keeping devices out of bedrooms can improve sleep and mood.
6. Loop in your pediatrician.If you are concerned about your child's weight, their doctor can check in on their health and connect you with a family healthy weight program if needed.

Small Steps, Healthier Future

Prevention works best as a team effort, and your health plan is part of that team. Routine checkups and preventive care benefits are built to catch growth and weight concerns early, and our team at StayWell can help you make the most of your benefits and connect with local pediatric and nutrition resources. Beyond that, it is about routines the whole family enjoys, an evening walk, a trip to the beach, or simply choosing water over soda all add up. This National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, take one small step together toward a healthier future.