Question of the Month - Obesity Survey- [Back]

Obesity is a growing problem in our country. As our lives become increasingly busy and stressful, proper nutrition and exercise are often overlooked. These are important issues for all families, but especially important for families of children with special needs. Children may have food allergies, sensory integration issues, behavior problems and mobility issues that interfere with their ability to either eat the right foods and/or exercise.

Families may need extra assistance with meal planning and effective and safe ideas for their children to get exercise. Family TIES would like to bring your concerns “to the table” with the people that make policies and initiate programs that affect this national concern. 

For more information about nutrition and exercise online, please go to www.5aday.org and www.govfitness.com

Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions


1. How do you feel your child is doing nutritionally?
Eats a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables
Eats the same thing everyday
Only eats a few foods
Doesn’t eat much of anything
Not sure

2. Are you concerned about your child’s weight?
Not concerned – at the correct weight for his/her size
Very concerned – child is definitely underweight
Slightly concerned – child is slightly overweight
Very concerned – child is Obese 

3. What do you see as a roadblock to your child’s good nutrition?
Please check all that apply:
Family needs more information on nutrition
Child won’t try new foods
Child is tube fed
Time involved to eat/feed
Other

4. What do you see as a roadblock to your child’s physical ability to eat? Please check all that apply:
Medical Issues
Sensory problems
Behavior issues
Other

5. Do you feel your child gets enough exercise?
Yes, very active
Some, but not enough
Not at all

6. Please tell us the roadblocks to exercise?
Mobility issues
Health problem
Lack of interest (child’s)
Not enough  time
Other

7. What information would help you support your child?
Printed information on nutrition
Workshops on Nutrition
Inclusive exercise programs
Other

8. Age of your child

9. Disability of child

Would you like more information? If so, please share with us your:

Name:

Address:

E-mail address: (optional)

Would you like to give more information to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health about this subject? If so, please add your phone number.

Phone number (optional):

Additional Comments:


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