Take the 5-2-1-0 pledge during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Small daily habits can lead to a lifetime of better health for kids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 2, 2025
LAS VEGAS – September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, an opportunity to highlight how families can support healthier habits and help children grow up strong. The Southern Nevada Health District’s Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in partnership with the Partners for a Healthy Nevada Coalition, encourages families to adopt the 5-2-1-0 guidelines—a set of simple, science-backed steps that can make a big difference in kids’ long-term health.
The 5-2-1-0 daily guidelines are easy to remember and even easier to start:
- 5 fruits and vegetables each day
- 2 hours or less of recreational screen time
- 1 hour of physical activity
- 0 sugary drinks — choose water instead
These healthy habits aren’t just for children—they benefit the whole family. Throughout September, the Health District and its partners will host events and resources to help families get started. The Get Healthy Clark County website and the Spanish-language Viva Saludable offer activities, tools and ideas to support family wellness goals.
Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that often begins in childhood. In Clark County, about one in six high school students has obesity, and about one in three Nevada kindergartners starts school either overweight or living with obesity. According to Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Health District, “Children with obesity are more likely to develop serious, long-term health issues such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure later in life.”
Nationally, nearly 20% of children and teens — about 14.7 million — have obesity. The prevalence of obesity is even higher in some racial and ethnic groups, underscoring the role of broader factors like access to nutritious foods, safe places to play, housing stability and quality education. For example, 26% of Hispanic children and 25% of non-Hispanic Black children in the United States have obesity, compared with 17% of non-Hispanic white children and 9% of non-Hispanic Asian children.
The good news? There are free, local resources available to help families take the first step toward healthier living. To learn more, visit GetHealthyClarkCounty.org or https://vivasaludable.org/, or call (702) 759-1270.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.