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As America wrangles daunting issues, no challenge is more urgent than protecting the health and wellbeing of our children – now, and as they grow.
Over the past decades we have witnessed childhood obesity grow to epidemic proportions. More than 23 million children and teenagers are obese or overweight. That’s roughly one child in every three. Some groups are disproportionately affected. According to a 2009 report, approximately 67% of Texas adults are overweight or obese compared to 73% of adults who live along the Texas-Mexico border. This issue has not left children unaffected: approximately 30% of Texas children/adolescents are overweight or obese. African American and Hispanic children are at greater risk of becoming overweight or obese than their peers.
In Texas, fitness levels among children were highest in elementary school, and declined each year. Importantly, researchers have identified significant associations between lower fitness level and lower academic achievement, including TAKS tests, school attendance, and school incidents.
These youngsters also have an increased risk of developing serious health problems in adulthood, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and several types of cancer. If obesity rates continue to rise at the current rate, todays children will be in tomorrow’s workforce, at a cost to Texas businesses of $15.8 billion a year in health care, disability and productivity costs. Finally, the psychosocial consequences of obesity can also hinder these kids academically and socially.
You can help: join our community in observing National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month this September. Parents, health providers, educators, civic leaders and organizations have created programs and activities to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
The effort begins at home but continues throughout our community. Parents, grandparents, and other family members have enormous influence over their children’s lifestyles
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