Save the children
Creative Independent Health program attacks problem of childhood obesity
Updated: 09/27/08 6:46 AM
Politicians and others love to observe, as though they’ve made a great new discovery, that “children are our future.” Not many do anything about it, though. A local insurance company is trying.
Independent Health is launching a broad and ground-breaking assault on the ballooning problem of childhood obesity. Called the Fitness for Kids Challenge, the effort is rolling out in more than 400 elementary and middle schools in Western New York, with a goal of improving healthy habits, including physical activity and nutrition in children ages 14 and younger. (For more information, go to the Web site www.independenthealth.com and click on the link to Fitness for Kids Challenge.) Among the dozens of other sponsors are Wegmans, the YMCA and radio station WKSE, Kiss 98.5, whose involvement should help draw in kids in a way that interests them.
Leaders at Independent Health say this program is the largest of its kind ever in Western New York. Its progress should be monitored to see if it should be expanded by other parties around the state and nation.
Childhood obesity holds severe consequences for the future. As these children become adults, the incidence of diabetes will rise, along with heart disease and other illnesses that will affect their ability to work and live normal lives. The costs could be enormous.
The solution is plain. Children — and adults, for that matter — need to eat healthier diets and they need to be active. Independent Health deserves the thanks and encouragement of everyone in Western New York for trying to make that happen.
