Weighing in on childhood obesity
On Saturday, June 24, Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs awakened early to march through Flatbush with healthcare workers, fitness instructors, church leaders and local students in a walk-a-thon to raise awareness about childhood obesity. Jacobs also spoke to the crowd about the importance of healthy living.
We see too many young people with high cholesterol and diabetes before their time, Jacobs said.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youth obesity has increased more than threefold in the past 30 years. Further, a study of five to 17-year-olds revealed that 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.