Lequintin Lindsey is proof not everyone’s a statistic.
He’s a parent who makes sure his six kids eat healthy and exercise, and none of them are overweight.
“I keep them on a healthy and strict diet,” Lindsey said
“Graham crackers, whole wheat bread maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. small things that they can burn off,” he added.
A study in the journal Pediatrics says teens are exercising, as well as eating more fruits and vegetables and less sugar.
But it found black and Hispanic children lag far behind in almost every category, so it’s not exactly great news for the Mid-South.
“We’re not talking about a huge jump here, but any is good,” said Dr. Susan Besser.
“The problem still begins with parents no matter what gender, race or income level,. Besser adds. “It’s the adults who grocery shops, who cook and make those decisions.
“Many times if your child is obese, you are too because you train them to eat,” she continued.
That’s why Lindsey pays close attention to what his children eat.
“Not too much sugar or fatty food but a lot of food they can go out and burn off each day,” Lindsey said.
That’s part two of raising healthy kids — making sure they’re running around instead of spending hours on computers, chatting with friends and playing video games.
“Oh, they’re very active, very active. They love outside. they love being out here playing with other kids, being active,” Lindsey said.