(Here is some quick information on children's health and obesity, to get your started, especially if you are a parent or caregiver.  Please see other sections of this website for more in-depth information.)

Nearly 1/3 of all children nationwide are obese or overweight (National Survey of Children's Health, 2007) and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, that were once only seen in adults, are now becoming more common in our youth.

There are a variety of reasons for this alarming increase in childhood obesity. Children have less physical education and recess time at school than in years past and they spend nearly as much time in front of media screens as they do in classrooms. They are surrounded by processed foods in their schools and neighborhoods and by advertisements for junk food.

Clearly, we can do better!

Raising kids who are healthy in mind, body and soul, is an awesome responsibility and honor. Within our families – just as within our faith communities, schools and neighborhoods – we can intentionally provide an atmosphere that offers our children nourishing food and physical activity so they can grow up to reach their full potential. Health has an enormous impact on our youth's ability to do well in school and in life, so they can achieve their calling and live abundantly. 

It's time to take charge. Check out tips for making active play a regular - and fun - part of your family's (and congregation's) time together. Likewise, take advantage of ideas for feeding picky eaters (en Español), shopping for healthy food on a budget, planning and cooking tasty nutritious meals, and hosting healthy celebrations and events at home and at your faith community. Finally, let's make sure our neighbors and the most vulnerable among us have the same opportunities to access nutritious food and sufficient physical activity by advocating for equity.

Click here for more information on the childhood obesity epidemic.

Click here if you want to start a wellness program at your congregation, using the Congregational Health Index (en Español).