One of the primary goals of Make Our Kids Healthy Again is to reduce childhood obesity through the introduction of plant-rich diets in our educational curriculum. Plant-rich diets reduce future risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. These diseases account for $1 Trillion in annual healthcare costs and lost productivity.
A report from OCED in 2017 found that in the united states, 38.2% of americans are considered obese. The rate for children age 3-17 is 20%. Comparatively, the rate of obesity for children in France is 5%.
When I first read these numbers, I was shocked. I was compelled to think back to my time as a child: How was I fed? How did my parents and educators talk to me about food? How has the food industry changed? Our relationship with food has changed, as well as our relationship with the environment.
As I continue to develop the curriculum for Make Our Kids Healthy Again, I keep these statistics in mind. The program focuses on a plant based diet, which will lead to overall healthier eating habits, better nutrition, and a better understanding of where our food comes from, how it was processed, and how it landed on our table. There is a lot that happens between when the food leaves the farm to when it lands on the table.
Make Our Kids Healthy Again can help change our relationship with food, which will ultimately impact the environment. It will help the entire family have a plan and stay mindful around what we put in our body, how it is processed, and its impact on the environment. Every small step you take, even something as small as focusing on a plant based diet, will empower you to make a positive impact.
In good health,
Meagan
