Healthy Schools

It's a fact...childhood obesity is on the rise and the number of children who are overweight has tripled over the past 30 years. High cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure, all Illnesses that were once thought of as adult only, are now being diagnosed in children. Parents, you hold the key to keeping your kids at a healthy weight. It's important for you to establish a healthy lifestyle. Practice what you preach and your kids will follow in your footsteps. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is taking the lead on empowering kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. The Healthy Schools Program is providing free support and resources to schools around the country who want to take the first step. Principal Ida Escobedo has seen firsthand how effective the program has been in her school and what it means to families. "We have so many students with childhood diseases and obesity and running a school with 500 students that brought my attention so I felt that was important to the campus". Healthy eating is one component...getting kids moving is just as important. Finding fun ways to immerse kids in a healthy lifestyle is easy...you just need to be a little creative. Principal Escobedo says "kids are learning to stay active number 1 they're learning to make good choices when they select foods they're also promoting good healthy habits at home". 15,000 schools nationwide are participating in The Healthy Schools Program. The goal is to reverse the trend and put an end to childhood obesity. To find out more on how your child's school can get started, go to healthygeneration.org. I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor helping parents take charge.