Building a Healthy Future for Our Children
Experts believe that if something is not done to reverse the trend of childhood obesity in the United States, our current generation will be the FIRST generation to not outlive their parents. Start Fit, Stay Fit is an advocacy mission to hault the decline in the health of our Nation's youth and build a healthier future. Education is the key to ensuring this mission and Start Fit, Stay Fit, as well as its parteners are dedicated to providing that education.
Childhood Obesity- An American Epidemic
Today about 1 in 3 children and youth (ages 2-19) in the United States are already overweight or obese. Overweight kids are more likely to become overweight adults.
The Facts
Obese & Overweight Children are at Risk for Serious Health Problems
Diabetes on the rise: Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. Now, the rise in childhood obesity is linked to a dramatic rise in the number of children suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Higher risk of asthma: There may be a link between the rise in childhood obesity and the rise in childhood asthma. Extra weight can make it harder to breathe and can inflame the respiratory tract. Children with serious asthma are more likely to be overweight.
Increased risk of heart failure: Being overweight or out of shape forces the heart to work harder. Overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults and more likely to develop heart problems.
Access to Healthy Food and Physical Activity is Disappearing
Poor nutrition: Only about 20% of high school seniors report eating fruit and green vegetables five or more times a day.
Unregulated nutrition: Foods offered in school vending machines are often of little nutritional value and can be loaded with fats, sugars, salt and calories.
Less physical education: 92% of elementary schools do not have daily physical education classes year-round. About 1/3 of high school students take daily physical education classes.
Disappearing recess: Nearly 1/3 of elementary schools do not schedule recess on a regular basis. Some schools lack the space to play while others feel that recess is a waste of time.
The Facts
Obese & Overweight Children are at Risk for Serious Health Problems
Diabetes on the rise: Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. Now, the rise in childhood obesity is linked to a dramatic rise in the number of children suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Higher risk of asthma: There may be a link between the rise in childhood obesity and the rise in childhood asthma. Extra weight can make it harder to breathe and can inflame the respiratory tract. Children with serious asthma are more likely to be overweight.
Increased risk of heart failure: Being overweight or out of shape forces the heart to work harder. Overweight children are more likely to grow up to be overweight adults and more likely to develop heart problems.
Access to Healthy Food and Physical Activity is Disappearing
Poor nutrition: Only about 20% of high school seniors report eating fruit and green vegetables five or more times a day.
Unregulated nutrition: Foods offered in school vending machines are often of little nutritional value and can be loaded with fats, sugars, salt and calories.
Less physical education: 92% of elementary schools do not have daily physical education classes year-round. About 1/3 of high school students take daily physical education classes.
Disappearing recess: Nearly 1/3 of elementary schools do not schedule recess on a regular basis. Some schools lack the space to play while others feel that recess is a waste of time.