Childhood obesity is a tough, touchy, heartbreaking issue that isn’t easily addressed. However, with overwhelming statistics so grave, it cannot be ignored.
Not only is this epidemic profoundly dangerous to our children now, but it lays a foundation for a lifetime of struggles with health issues and weight. We will be visiting this issue with some frequency in the coming months in hopes to shed a positive, but accurate light on the situation.
We begin by saluting two local schools, Santiago Creek School in Santa Ana and De Portola Elementary in Mission Viejo, as they were each recipients of $500 grants from United Healthcare for their innovative programs for addressing childhood obesity.
"Students for a Healthy Lifestyle" was developed by students at Santiago Creek in Santa Ana to investigate their community has the second-highest rate of childhood obesity in California. The program involves students being trained as "nutrition advocates," setting up food and fitness fairs for local youth groups.
"Eat What Grows” – Students at de Portola Elementary in Mission Viejo created a school-wide initiative that will enable youngsters to grow food and learn about organic agricultural methods. The program will raise awareness about growing, eating, tending and
yielding health food for healthy bodies
United Healthcare awarded $5,000 in grants to eight Southern California organizations seeking to develop programs to help prevent childhood obesity in their communities. The grants will help create community-based programs that encourage healthful habits among Southern California residents.
|
RSS Subscribe
