Fighting Childhood Obesity
By: Marchelle McConnell
Updated: August 18, 2009
America is said to be one of the fattest nations in the world, but Madeline Cumbey, is working to fight obesity. Madeline is nine and was recently selected by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation as a spokesperson for a campaign called Empower Me. Empower me is focused on fighting childhood obesity.
Madeline is one of 25 children nationwide selected as a spokesperson. She happens to be the youngest person every chosen by the organization.
Her mother, Tina Cumbey, says she gets her passion from a family history of health problems. “Both her grandfathers had heart attacks by 55, and her grandmother is a cancer survivor. So we have always talked to our kids about how important it is to eat healthy.”
Nationwide, one in three children between the ages 8 and 18 is over weight or obese. In Indiana about 30 % of children are obese.
Tina saya “Its a serious issue of kids growing up to be obese, growing into adults who are obese, that develop type 2 Diabetes, heart attacks and stroke. All those things can be avoided by teaching kids positive life skills.”
Over the next year, Madeline will spread the word by running in a kids marathon, setting up information booths, hosting after school clubs and teaching kids healthy alternatives. Madeline says “You can have a party instead of cake; you can have watermelon.”
You wont be surprised to know that her favorite foods are watermelon, and strawberries.
For more information on how to get involved in Empower Me visit www.empowerme2b.org
For healthy eating tips for your child visit www.healthiergeneration.org
