Clinton Foundation Partners with American HeartIt has taken center stage--the partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation and the America Heart Association. The mission is a lofty one: To eliminate childhood obesity and to inspire all young people in the United States to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The former President admits he was once known as a "fat boy" and his quadruple bypass in 2004 was the result of bad health habits at an early age. Perhaps it was his health crisis that was the start of his desire to help America"s young people. When he teamed up with the American Heart Association, they announced a goal to "stop the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States by 2010." The alliance has four key initiatives. One is aimed at schools. It has a host of tools and on-line resources for schools. According to the Clinton Foundation website, "The key objectives of the Healthy Schools Program are to:Establish healthier school environments as an education priority, provide access to healthy food options for students and staff, increase opportunities for students to exercise and play, and offer wellness programs for school staff to help them become healthy role models." While the emphasis on the schools is commendable, it may not be the best place to start. In fact, an interactive website and campaign to engage children 9-13 to take steps to be healthier is simply too little, too late. By age 9, children have already become either participators or non- participators. They are already on the sidelines with few of the real skills they need to live an active life. Everyone wants to see their children develop good, healthy eating and physical activity habits. But, no one seems to understand that the road to a healthy life must start in infancy. That's when we have the greatest chance of impacting the ever increasing incidence of childhood obesity.
|