National Public Health Week - creating a healthy America one community at at time

This week is National Public Health Week.  This is a time that reminds each one of us about the important health issues that face our nation.  Childhood obesity is now one of those health issues that challenges us to work together to find solutions and reverse the trend.

The theme this year is A Healthier America - One Community at at Time.

There are events happening this week hosted by hospitals, organizations and public health departments to raise awareness and share ideas on how we can improve our communities.

Find an event in your area or see events scheduled nationwide.

This week, talk to the children about their ideas on how they can live healthier.  Having the conversation is the beginning of improving your family's lifestyle.  Share ideas and gain consensus as a family on the changes you will make in your home and in your community.  Even small changes are important and they add up to a healthier child!

Resources to help you:

Family healthy goals - how to keep kids involved and motivated

Kid friendly agreements and fun tracking sheets

Here are some facts released by the American Public Health Department:

• For the first time, American children may live shorter lives than their parents.1
• Nearly 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese.2

1 David S. Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D. “Childhood Obesity — The Shape of Things to Come,” New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 357:2325-2327, Dec. 6, 2007, No. 23. 2 Office of the General Surgeon. “The Surgeon General’s Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation Fact Sheet.” Jan. 2010.