Kansas Wellness Policy
Why the foods you eat affect your whole life!
Why is there so much emphasis on wellness?
“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have
by Winston Churchill
** Almost 9 million children and adolescents in the United States are overweight.
**The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6 to 11 years has more than doubled in the past 20 years, increasing from 7 percent in 1980
to 16 percent in 2002.
**Overweight among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years has tripled in the same time period, rising from 5 percent to 16 percent. African American and Hispanic American children and adolescents have even higher rates. Overweight children and teens are more likely to become overweight or obese adults. The consequences of overweight and obesity may include:
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Some types of cancer
• Gallbladder disease
**According to the Kansas Health Institute, the cost of treating obesity related medical problems in Kansas in 2004 was $657 million dollars. This level of spending
cannot be sustained without serious financial implications. Poor eating habits are of serious concern for many other reasons:
1. Young people who do not get enough calcium are at
greater risk for later development of osteoporosis.
2. It is estimated that as many as 7 to 8 percent of
females in the United States suffer from anorexia
nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa in their lifetimes.
**These two eating disorders can cause many severe complications and have the highest mortality rates for any psychiatric disorder. Poor eating habits can contribute to dental caries, which remains a major cause of school absences. The great news is that all of these health problems are preventable with proper diet and adequate
physical activity! That’s why having the knowledge and skills to practice a healthful lifestyle are so important!
Click on the following links to help select healthy eating habits, or track the calories and food that you are eating everyday. These links could save your life.
Find out how many calories you really need at Calorie Intake
These links will help you to eat healthy. Its not about how big or small, short or tall it IS about how healthy you are!
