Work together to end childhood obesity

Editorials

Discussion

September 1, 2010

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Sep 01, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — A grant awarded a little more than a year ago is helping to address the root causes of childhood obesity in the Baldwin County community and promote healthy eating as a family-oriented, family-focused way of life.

Georgia College & State University was awarded a $360,000 grant on behalf of Baldwin County by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation last year, one of 50 such grants given out with the aim of addressing the key issues related to childhood obesity and focus on ways to combat them. During a recent follow-up visit to Baldwin County, grant officials and project coordinators were presented an overview of local progress, which during the course of the past nine months has included development of the Milledgeville Community Garden project, discussion and planning to expand bike trails and healthier snacks in area after-school programs. While these steps looked at singularly may seem small, collectively they represent significant progress in combating childhood obesity and in efforts to get entire families involved in living healthier lifestyles.

Baldwin County is not alone in this effort, and recent statistics are reason for alarm among communities everywhere. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children ages 6 to 11 increased from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 19.6 percent in 2008. Children who are obese are more likely to become overweight adults and experience many of the issues related to adult obesity such as type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Childhood obesity is linked to more than 100,000 deaths each year and costs approximately $3 billion a year in weight-related direct medical care.

These are facts that impact children all over the country each year. And while there are a number of factors that play a role in such startling numbers — more children growing up in urban environments with less room for play, technology that doesn’t engage young people in outdoor or physical activities — these issues and others much become a part of the local conversation in an effort to find ways and means to overcome them. These are not minor issues that are subject to matters of opinion. The effects stemming from this issue impact productivity in the classroom and in the workplace and help to establish a poor foundation for adulthood.

Earlier this year, First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off a national effort, the Let’s Move campaign, with the ambitious goal of ending childhood obesity in a generation. This is a lofty goal — one that can only be if it starts one community at a time. Baldwin County has made strides in doing its part, and more local residents must get behind the effort in order to see its impact at its fullest. Then we can all celebrate the end result — a healthier generation of local children and families putting into practice sound eating habits for the better.

Text Only

Editorials

County must find solution to trash problem
Baldwin County Commissioners were met once again this week with the task of tackling the mountainous issue of trash and the fate of the county’s remaining convenience centers.

February 11, 2012
Role of CGTC in community still expanding
Central Georgia Technical College is well on its way to completing a new, expansive health sciences facility to meet the needs of local students on the Milledgeville campus.

February 8, 2012
Black History Month gives chance to focus on locals
The second month in the calendar year, February is notable for a number of events and activities — this weekend’s Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and, since 1926, the observance of Black History Month.

February 4, 2012
Georgia College presidency is an important position
The search for the next president of Georgia College has narrowed to four candidates, all of whom will be invited to tour the Milledgeville campus in the next few weeks before the state Board of Regents and the campus-based search committee make recommendations on who will next take the helm of the state’s liberal arts university.

February 1, 2012
Technology fair promotes interest in needed skills
A 2011 CNBC network report last March reveals estimates from U.S. economists that the ratio for job applicants to jobs in the technology field is far more narrow than that many other available positions.

January 28, 2012
Future leaders learning the fundamentals
As many Americans prepared to watch Tuesday night’s annual State of the Union address by the president, and as many more have kept a watchful eye on the string of presidential debates that have filled our television screens over the past several months...

January 25, 2012
Be mindful of tax scams this time of year
Many local residents will be joining others across the rest of the country this month in preparing for income tax season.

January 21, 2012
Community gives much to history
This week, beginning today, a statewide group of museum representatives from all over Georgia will make their way to Milledgeville for the Georgia Association of Museums & Galleries annual conference.

January 18, 2012
Mentoring is way to give in a spirit of service
This weekend and Monday, Americans all over the country will pay homage to the life and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by devoting time from their busy schedules to contributing to community service.

January 14, 2012
First Fridays are a celebration of Milledgeville
Nearly a year ago, a local group launched the First Friday efforts aimed at promoting the local downtown community and engaging residents and visitors alike in the area’s art and cultural scene.

January 7, 2012
More Editorials Headlines

Editorials

Search Results

Discussion

Work together to end childhood obesity

Site Map

Contact Us