Pediatricians academy offers anti-obesity Rx slips

ELK GROVE VILLAGE — Don’t be surprised if at your child’s next doctor visit, the pediatrician hands out an anti-obesity prescription.

The prescription slips are part of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ work with Michelle Obama’s campaign to prevent childhood obesity.

The slips say, “Rx for Healthy Active Living.” They list four daily tasks: eating at least five fruits and vegetables; limiting screen time to two hours or less; getting at least one hour of physical activity; and drinking fewer sugary drinks.

They also have a space for parents or kids to fill in which task they want to work on first.

The Elk Grove Village-based academy has downloadable versions of these prescription slips for pediatricians on its Web site at aap.org.