Research that Benefits Children and Families-Uplifting Stories

Due to the high volume of child obesity, I decided to readdress this topic once again. Child obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. Child obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Child obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.

In discussing child obesity, I came across a native woman who lives in Albany, GA that has a passion about child obesity and ways for children to say healthy and stay fit. Pamela Jackson founded The Youth Becoming Healthy (YBH) Project in memory of her brother, Bernard Green, who died in February, 2004 from complications of morbid obesity and other related illnesses. Pamela Jackson decided to meet with the local school system in Albany, GA and create a policy to benefit the youth’s health and eliminate child obesity so the children won’t suffer like her brother did.
Fitness centers have been placed in elementary and middle schools giving the students the opportunity to participate in a safe and physical activity program at the school they attend. Community leaders partnered with Pamela Jackson to provide nutrition, education and other services, to meet the needs of the students. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts to fight childhood obesity including one of CNN's 2009 Heroes and profiled on Larry King Live.

Pamela divides her time between her non-profit organization, consulting business and working on her doctorate degree. She is also an advocate for implementing mandatory PE in all elementary and middle schools, as well as a policy maker, making changes at the state and federal level.

Please click this link to see an advocate at work!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5xvJyGHpw