Youth Improve the Quality of Their Lives As They Improve The Quality of Life In Their Community

Statistical data indicates that 58 million people in the United States are overweight, 40 million obese, and another 3 million who are considered morbidly obese. The claim is that childhood obesity is running out of control. Some data indicates that among children ages 2-19, 23.4 million are overweight and obese. Nearly 20% of 4-year-olds across the country are clinically obese. For non-Hispanic blacks this number soars to 30.8% for males and 39.2% for females. Research further indicates that the youths' weight could be attributed to poor lifestyle choices by parents or lack of physical activity. In any event, being overweight and obese leads to a number of adult illnesses that will need to be addressed.  Overweight and obese children are at high risk for heart disease, stroke, asthma, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Statistics further indicate that our nation's obesity epidemic is costing the country more than $117 billion per year in direct medical costs and direct costs related to reduced productivity and absenteeism. Bottom line, if we don't reverse these trends, we're in danger or raising the first generation of American children who will liver sicker and die younger than the generation before them. FEATURED GUESTS: The Winston County Self Help Cooperative Youth Group organized in 2003 with a goal reconnecting to the natural resources. Initially, they focused their energies on structuring an organization to transfer a positive community image of providing career guidance in the natural resources. They chartered a course of action to reconnect our youth with Mother Earth’s natural resources and strengthen families’ relationships by working together as a unit on various projects including organizing Arbor Day Activities, forestry projects, kids in the kitchen, and planting the youth garden. The youth expanded in 2004 with 25 young people making a difference in Winston County. The youth are involved in various activities connecting with the natural r