It a good question – have you answered it? Are You In? This school year is a lot different for us since Jude is attending school for a full day for the first time in his school career. We are learning how recesses and lunches are done and we are having to think more about his lunch every day. We were so blessed to have my parents watch him and feed him lunch every day but now, we are in the lunchbox world.
Obesity in children is an epidemic and it needs to be stopped. Our children do not deserve this. As an adult I know the bad choices I am making but I am also able to change those choices and work towards something healthier. Children just have to take what is in front of them and aren’t the managers of their time or health. Did you know that 57% of Colorado adults and 27% of our children are overweight or obese? Eek! Friends, lets work on this – I am IN!
Facts about Youth Nutrition:
30% of Colorado communities lack access to healthy food retail options[xv]
In 2009, $1.7 billion was spent on marketing unhealthy foods and drinks to U.S. kids, compared to just $280 million promoting healthy food to kids.[xvi]
A recent survey showed that 55% of Colorado middle- and- high school and middle school students had not eaten a single serving of fruits or vegetables over the past seven days.[xvii]
The solution is pretty obvious – we need to focus our attention on our schools. Our kids spend most of their day in school. As I have to give up a bit of control knowing what Jude is doing every day in school I do know that I can control what is put in his lunch box. As I discussed a few days ago, our school lunch program at our very small private school is lacking big time. They literally just order in food from close fast food joints. Yikes. Not great for our kiddos!
Thankfully my solution is packing a healthy well rounded lunch for Jude every day but for the families that cannot provide that for their children are really the ones being hurt. We are failing them.
The No More 24 campaign from LiveWell Colorado has a great opportunity for our children. This campaign would help promote the importance of healthier meals, longer recesses and not cutting P.E. classes.
Talk to your PTO/PTA groups to come up with a solution
Volunteer to clean and fix any local playgrounds; including your school
At least 30 minutes of physical activity each day in school for all students
Volunteer to organize an after school Physical Activity program
Talk to your city council members about your concerns
Do research for your school to come up with a new lunch program/menu
Ask friends, family and other community members for ideas on how to combat this obesity issue
Talk to your local Rec Center for ideas and programs
The most important part of ending this epidemic is talking about it. This will only lead to a solution! Childhood Obesity Ends With You TODAY! Join me in signing the pledge to end childhood obesity at the No More 24 campaign webpage!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of LiveWell Colorado . The opinions and text are all mine.
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