In the United States, around 15 percent of children aged 6 to 19 and nearly 11 percent of preschool children are considered obese. Michigan has been one of the ten heaviest states for almost two decades.
Contributing significantly to childhood obesity are sedentary lifestyles and poor nutritional choices. It is estimated that nearly half of young people, ages 12 to 21, do not engage in regular physical activity. Most do not eat the recommended five or more daily servings of vegetables and fruit.
Overweight children are at greater risk of diabetes and other serious health problems. Children who are not encouraged to be physically active and make healthy nutritional choices grow up to become adults who are more likely to have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and other life-threatening diseases. Besides health problems, obesity can lead to poor self-image, insecurity and learning problems in schools.
Programs such as Activ8 KIDS! take a proactive approach to teaching children to make positive choices and have an informed attitude about how they eat and live. Lakeland HealthCare is proud to do our part in offering wellness programs in support this effort.
