Courtesy of Saint Anthony Hospital
Edited by Lawndale Bilingual News
Recent CDC data shows childhood obesity rates have reached record highs, with 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens now being classified as obese, which is up from previous years and disproportionately affecting Hispanic and Black communities. To provide solutions for National Healthy Kids Day on April 18, Dr. Hena Ibrahim, a board-certified pediatrician and specialist in pediatric obesity care at Saint Anthony Hospital, has provided practical insights parents need to know, including:
Foods to Limit or Avoid:
• Fruit juice, even 100% juice contains concentrated natural sugar and calories; whole fruit is usually a better option
• Flavored yogurt – some varieties contain as much sugar as dessert
• Granola and granola bars – often high in calories and added sugars
• Commercial smoothies – may contain multiple servings of fruit plus added sugars
• Trail mixes heavy in chocolate or sweetened nuts
• Salads with high‑calorie toppings such as creamy dressings, croutons, and large amounts of cheese
Fun Ways to Encourage Children to be More Active:
I recommend that children aim for around 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The most effective way to support healthy habits is to make them part of everyday family life rather than focusing on the child alone. Practical ways parents can encourage activity:
• Model active behavior, children are more likely to be active if they see parents being active
• Plan family activities such as walks after dinner, bike rides, or trips to the park
• Break activity into smaller periods throughout the day if needed
• Limit recreational screen time and encourage outdoor play
• Let children choose activities they enjoy such as dancing, sports, swimming, martial arts, or playground games
The goal is to create a supportive, non‑judgmental environment where healthy habits become part of everyday family life.
Amid the closure of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, State Representative La Shawn Ford and Resilience Healthcare CEO Manoj Prasad held a press conference last Wednesday to discuss the temporary closure and the possibility to reopen this summer. “The closure of this hospital is a reversal of access to healthcare for this area,” said Rep. La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago). The closure, according to staff at West Suburban Medical Center was due to a computerized billing system, therefore feeling doubtful of the center’s reopening this summer. The press conference aimed to provide clarity and insights into the challenges and to discuss a collaborative effort to resume the hospital’s services to the community. “I always want to make sure that I have at least four or five payrolls saved somewhere, because I don’t want us to work and have our employees have a payless payday,” said Dr. Manoj Prasad, CEO of Resilience Healthcare, the company that owns the hospital. Prasad said he hopes to reopen the hospital by July, but state leaders said they will be watching closely to make sure the hospital is financially stable before it opens again.
