June, 2008

City of Burleson Employee Wellness Initiative

Helpful Resources:(links to other agencies not affiliated with the City of Burleson)

Texas Dept of State Health Services Heart Healthier Generation The Go Healthy Challenge Texas Roundup Live Healthy America America on the Move AARP Diabetes Organization American Heart Association American Cancer Society The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society MSN Health and Fitness

Childhood obesity is nothing short of an epidemic.  U.S. government statistics indicate that about one-third of American children and teens, or about 25 million children, are either overweight or on the brink of being overweight.  According to healthcare professionals, being overweight as a child can have devastating health effects.

• It increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in both childhood and adulthood;
• It can lead to sleep apnea (the interruption of breathing while asleep);
• One in three obese children have excess fat in their liver (this could lead to hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver failure); and,
• Overweight children are more likely to develop heart disease during adulthood.

With hundreds of TV channels, video games and literally millions of internet sites at our fingertips, young Americans are leading increasingly sedentary lives.  Combine this with unhealthy eating habits and childhood obesity has skyrocketed.  There is plenty we can do about the problem.

Improving our health, particularly the health of our children should be a top priority.  We have to work harder to educate parents and children about the risks associated with childhood obesity and make sure they have the resources to lead healthier, more active lives.  We must continue to invest in community assets that make it easier and more attractive for children (and parents) to put down the remote, log off the computer, go outside and get active.

There is a lot we can do individually.  Parents (and grandparents) should make a point of spending time engaging in physical activities with their children.  Whether it’s in the backyard or a state park, you can do a world of good by regularly going outside to play, and who knows, it might be more fun for you than for the kids! 

If you’re looking for a little help in motivating your kids to become more active, the “Go Healthy Kids Movement” is a program that aims to make healthy lifestyles “cool” for kids.  There are great resources at www.healthiergeneration.org. Kids can take the “Go Healthy Challenge” at www.igohugo.org.  For other on-line resources, check the City of Burleson web site at www.burlesontx.com.  

The Burleson Parks and Recreation Department is offering good affordable activities for kids.  Log on to www.burlesontx.com, click on “Departments,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Activity Guide” or call 817-295-8168. 

As always, if you have good ideas about how we can do more to fight childhood obesity, please contact me at mayor@burlesontx.com.