Fighting Childhood Obesity

July 4, 2007 - 3:15 PM

Childhood Obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. that can be potentially dangerous to a child’s health. Governor Eliot Spitzer recently introduced the “Healthy Food Act” aimed at ensuring that students are eating healthy during school hours by restricting what foods schools can offer and addressing overall school wellness policies.

New York State has recently received the “Eat Well Play Hard” grant. Schenectady’s Grant Director, Teresa Coen says the grant is aimed at improving the health and welfare of the Capital Region through:

-Better equipping individuals to lead healthy lifestyles that reduce their risk of obesity and chronic disease (exercise, eating properly etcÂ…).

-Achieving healthy growth and development through proper nutrition and formation of healthy eating habits.

-Improving resource management skills and identifying available community health services to improve food security.

-Reducing incidences of food-borne illness and reduce food waste by safe food preservation and preparation practices.

Here are some helpful links for more information on healthy living:

Alliance for a Healthier Generation:

Government Health and Nutrition:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer's Healthy Food Act:

Healthy Kids: Learn to be Healthy.

Kids Health for Kids: Staying Healthy.