A Newsworthy Issue

For this blog entry, I want to discuss a problem facing our country that needs MORE news attention. So what about Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries marriage only lasting 72 days. A real issue that needs news coverage every day until we see a change is the physical fitness and healthy nutrition of the American children. Let’s face it- few people are more active than young children but is their energy going to waste? It now seems children are not being taught how to live a healthy lifestyle in their home settings and also being rid of this knowledge at school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Along with a daily physical activity, children need to have a nutritional diet to maintain a healthy life. The American Heart Association reports that “today one in three American kids and teens are overweight or obese nearly triple the rate in 1963. With good reason, childhood obesity is now the no. 1 health concern among parents in the United States”. Diabetes, hypertension and other chronic obesity-related diseases that are prevalent among adults have now become more common in youngsters. The percentage of children and adolescents who are overweight and obese is now higher than ever before. Poor dietary habits and inactivity are reported to contribute to the increase of obesity in youth. Today's youth are considered the most inactive generation in history. Beyond the impact on chronic disease, physical inactivity and obesity place a significant burden on our society. “Nearly 17% of U.S. medical costs are attributed to the treatment of obesity and estimates for treatment of childhood obesity are approximately $14.3 billion.” Our nation needs to open their eyes to this prevailing problem and work towards preserving the children who are our FUTURE.