Is the health of our children at a critical point?
    
More children in the United States are overweight than ever before.  More than double the number who were overweight in the late 1970s.  Adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes in children is reaching near-epidemic proportions, with rates estimated at 15% and obesity as the most common risk factor.
    
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paint a bleak picture.   Results from the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using measured heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 15 percent of children and adolescents (about 9 million young people) ages 6-19 years are overweight.  The estimated annual cost attributed to obesity-related diseases is approximately $100 billion. Obesity increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, respiratory problems, certain cancers, gallstones, osteoarthritis, and lowered life expectancy.
    
Poor eating habits are often established during childhood. More than 60% of young people eat too much fat, and less than 20% eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.  More than a third of young people in grades 9-12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.
      
Looking at the statistical snapshot from the CDC, the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this story is:
 YES- The health of our children is at a critical point!
     
What do we do with that information?  We have an opportunity to influence an entire generation of young people.   We have a duty to make a culture change around how and what we eat.  We must determine the best possible methods to create an environment that will make increased activity simple and easy.  Lastly, we simply cannot take our health for granted.
      
How do we make these changes?  Coordinated School Health is a process that brings a school community together to teach children to be healthy for a lifetime. Effective coordinated school programs reinforce positive healthy behaviors throughout the day.  Effective programs and makes it clear that good health and learning go hand in hand.  Effective programs reach not only the students, but the staff as well. 
      
Last week, LiveWell Fountain staff and teams from Fountain-Ft. Carson School District 8 attended a coordinated schools health workshop along with schools from all over the region.  LiveWell Fountain plans to assist the local school districts with implementing and supporting this process.  During the workshop we found that there are a few schools that are well on their way to success, and some that are just getting started.  Although each school will have its own individual specific plan for success, we can look to the schools that have experienced success as role models and a resource to help others get started.  
The health of our children is at a critical point, but by partnering and using resources that are available, we are on our way to making the positive change!  Thank you school staff members for doing a great job and bringing your best to school every day!  Your efforts are appreciated! 
LiveWell Fountain is a grant-funded initiative that seeks to improve community health by implementing strategies that support healthy eating and active living.

EatBetter.MoveMore.   Contact us at 382-7837 or Livewellftn@yahoo.com or check out our web site at http://fountain.livewellcolorado.com
      

LiveWell Archive:

7-30-08 | 8-6-08 | 8-13-08 | 8-20-08 | 8-27-08