Childhood obesity doesn’t just open up the floodgates for bullying, it stunts child development and can lead to irreparable health problems later in life – even if the excess weight is lost. One group of kids has decided that it’s time for a change.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website, childhood obesity had quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. 18 percent of children ages 7–11 are obese, in addition to a staggering 21 percent of kids ages 12–19, and of these, “70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.”
Students at Rockdale Elementary have partnered with the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center and the Partnership for Innovation in Education (PIE) to develop an app that will help fight childhood obesity. Called Healthy Run, the app makes it easy for kids to track their fat, cholesterol, and caloric intake while rewarding them with points for making healthy choices.
“No they bring in healthy snacks,” Rockdale principal Belinda Tubbs-Wallace tells Local 12 News. “During the holidays they’re developing creative strawberries with celery and peanut butter. It’s just amazing kids too are now thinking healthy. What’s best for me?”
I say, more where that came from!
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