Jan

13

Stem child obesity, task force urges city - Baltimore Sun(Childhood Obesity News)

Filed Under Childhood Obesity News | Leave a Comment

Baltimore should improve access to fresh produce and recreational activities in low-income neighborhoods to stem childhood obesity, according to a City Council task force report released yesterday. The report recommends creating health zones in which city officials would work with schools, food stores and churches in three- to four-block areas to ensure that healthy food is available and that children have safe places to be physically active. From 1980 to 2004, the prevalence of overweight children ages 6 to 11 more than doubled, according to the report. Overweight people are at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and several types of cancer. Much of the report focuses on what the city school system can do to improve health, including requiring playgrounds at all elementary schools and renegotiating contracts with food vendors to provide healthier food choices. Welch said the council will hold a hearing on the report at 5 p. Read Childhood Obesity

Technorati Tags: , , , , , ,