What Hartford Can do to Combat the Obesity Epidemic

 by Ingrid Ore
DTHartford Staff

     Obesity is not something new to America. It is an issue that keeps rising and rising as days pass.       According to the Sate of Connecticut, this trend has started in big cities, but has now expanded to small cities like Hartford.

     According to City-Data, in 2009 Hartford residents with income below the poverty level was 38.5% and Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level was 15.2%.

     Fast food seems the right choice especially for its cheap price and the variety of it. There are more than eight McDonalds within the Hartford area and hundreds of fast food restaurants.

     According to the Connecticut State Board of Education, “children who eat well and are physically active learn better.” Conversely, poorly nourished, overweight, sedentary or hungry children tend to have weaker academic performance and score lower on standardized achievement tests. As a solution, the State of Connecticut designed a system to improve children healthy by promoting education and learning more on this disease. They believe that if we work together as a community we could improve this issue.

    First lady, Michelle Obama’s campaign “Let's Move,” is a motivational campaign that promotes a healthy life from an early age through the consumption of healthy food and the practice of sports. States the webpage: “Everyone has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity, including parents, elected officials from all levels of government, schools, health care professionals, faith-based and community-based organizations, and private sector companies. Your involvement is key to ensuring a healthy future for our children."

    However when we search in this same web page, we do not get to see the city of Hartford working on this. Seems like although the campaign has started three years ago, first lady campaign has not reached this side of the country yet.

    As Hartford citizens we are in charge of promoting healthy habits, fostering an active life, taking care the children who are the future of our city and of course taking care of ourselves.

   According to the web page of Hartford Public Schools, Olympic medalist Elana Meyers is involved in a campaign, which includes monthly video lessons, and live video chats to create awareness and foster an active life, “Values such as hard work, perseverance, and dedication are some of the things we practice on a daily basis as Olympic athletes.  Growing up today is difficult --we’re in an age of cyber bullying, economic downturn, and an increase in childhood obesity.  I hope I can help teach the students values that will help them handle adversity so they can achieve their dreams.” Meyers said.

   Let's start now because giving up is not an option.