Childhood Obesity

Many children in this country face lifelong health issues due to obesity. Alabama is sixth in the nation in childhood obesity, with 36% of our youths overweight or obese. Obese children and adolescents are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes. The sad part is most of these children will not "grow out of it," and this condition will follow them into adulthood.

Too many of our children who are living in poverty have poor eating habits and lack getting daily exercise. In order to beat these odds we must encourage everyone to eat nutritional meals at home and at school. We also must become more active and have a daily exercise routine.

As adults, we must take the responsibility of speaking to our children about good eating habits and learn to shop and cook for health. Childhood obesity can be beat and we must beat it!!!