NFL Looks To Sack Child Obesity Epidemic
Four-Year, $2 Million Grant Helps Schools Fight Obesity
POSTED: 7:18 am MDT September 4,
2003
WASHINGTON -- The National Football League is tackling the nation's childhood obesity crisis.
The NFL has presented an unlimited four-year, $2 million grant to Action for Healthy Kids. The nationwide partnership is focused on boosting access to nutritious foods and promoting physical activity in schools. It is chaired by former Surgeon General David Satcher."Physical activity and good nutrition are essential for all kids -- not just athletes. There has never been a more important time for the NFL to demonstrate its commitment to the health of our younger generation," said Cedric Jones, NFL vice president for youth football development.
The current surgeon general, Richard Carmona, said the need for healthier schools is dire. Two out of three Americans suffer symptoms related to being overweight and obese, and 15 percent of teenagers are overweight."We need to encourage kids to get more physically active -- it's not whether they're picked first or last as long as they get in the game," Carmona said. "Instead of playing games on their computers, I want kids to play games on their playgrounds."But Carmona also said sports is not always the solution, since "everybody's not going to be on the football team." He said some kids would be better off just taking "a brisk walk in the yard."
Your Child Have A Weight Problem?
The Facts
|
|
Action For Healthy KidsDistributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
