|
Across North America and around the world, an epidemic is sweeping through our youth. The incidence of childhood obesity is rising at an alarming rate. The epidemic is especially critical in more industrialized nations, because in these more developed nations people are more sedentary, eat out more often, consume more processed foods, and eat more fast food, which is usually very high in calories and low in nutrition.
What’s especially alarming is the fact that the prevalence of overweight U.S. children aged 6 to 11 doubled in just two decades. And in the same time, tripled for American teenagers. The CDC recently found that about one-third of all children in the U.S. are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. That adds up to approximately 25 million U.S. children and adolescents being overweight or nearly overweight.
There are many disadvantages to being overweight. Extra weight increases children and adolescent's risk of obesity and weight-related health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And these problems usually will follow overweight children and teens well into adulthood. And that effects the future of all of us.
The Säjai® Foundation was created by Barbara King to help combat this rising epidemic. Barbara had a life-long passion of helping to improve the lives of children. She saw the Foundation as an opportunity to leave a legacy, to create a better future for healthier kids, adults and families. Barb saw a chance to really make a difference in the lives of children, and she was fully committed to making that happen.
Want to help? Click here to find out how.
|
