Our children are our future. Indeed, they are our presents, little gifts that we want to take care of. But with national statistics indicating that one in three children are overweight or obese and, therefore, at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancers, our children need our help in creating an environment that will support healthier eating habits, greater physical activity, and providing a greater possibility of living their best lives.
As it stands currently, our children’s environment (everything external to our children, including where they live, how they travel, what is available to eat, options for play and entertainment) can promote weight gain. Our culture has become one that facilitates excess energy intake (often via fast foods and sugary drinks) and a sedentary way of life (which means that the body uses up a minimum amount of energy on a daily basis). This can result in extra energy, which the body usually stores as fat. The body does need fat for some processes, but extra fat makes some processes inefficient and leaves the body susceptible to disease.
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