The Challenge
A recent study finds that one in seven preschoolers from low-income families in the United States are considered obese. Health costs are rising and overall obesity-related health spending reaches $147 billion, double what it was nearly a decade ago, says a study published by the journal Health Affairs. The population of overweight people has expanded rapidly in recent decades, including very young children. Overweight children and adolescents have many of the same health risks and problems during their youth as do adults. The prevention of obesity among children yields significant benefits in terms of preventing other related health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 Diabetes.
There is clearly a disconnect in our culture between environment and food, health and food, economy and food, and life and food. By creating a local food culture, providing families access to healthy foods at a low cost and providing educational content of high quality with the concepts of healthy living, organic nutrition, and exercise as key factors, we can prevent a rising epidemic of childhood obesity and teach healthy eating behaviors that will last a lifetime.
Our Goals
Whole Kids Adventure’s mission is to address the growing obesity epidemic in children and adults by implementing healthy, organic nutrition programs for families and their children in an eco-friendly environment, and by offering health education for the community and general public.
Over the last years, research has shown that there is a large and growing population interested in access to organic produce and a more holistic approach to raising children. Based on the WKA values of health education, accessibility, community, connectivity, and collaboration, WKA is committed to providing participation opportunities to a diverse cross section of the population who want to learn about healthy eating habits, develop talent and critical thinking skills, develop confidence and self esteem, and grow their economic value. WKA allows all families as well as participants to share a common language, based on healthy creation, which helps to bridge the socio-economic divide.
Our Model
WKA is actively working to grow and strengthen our unique model that will address the obesity epidemic in children through a community based model and by seeking corporate partners to invest in nutrition education for their customers and champion honest food labeling, combining full time high-quality child care for working parents with the vision of becoming a community hub of community and school gardens. Our programs will also include a culinary department; educational programs for other family members and the general public; by developing partnerships with other like-minded organizations.
Facts About Obesity in the United States
Fact: Obesity rates are soaring in the U.S.
- Between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates doubled among adults. About 60 million adults, or 30% of the adult population, are now obese.
- Similarly since 1980, overweight rates have doubled among children and tripled among adolescents – increasing the number of years they are exposed to the health risks of obesity
Fact: Obesity is already having an adverse impact on young people
- Type 2 diabetes – once believed to affect only adults – is now being diagnosed among young people.
- In some communities almost half of the pediatric diabetes cases are type 2, when in the past the total was close to zero. Although childhood-onset Type 2 diabetes is still a rare condition, overweight children with this disease are at risk of suffering the serious complications of diabetes as adults, such as kidney disease, blindness, and amputations.
- Sixty-one percent of overweight 5- to10-year-olds already have at least one risk factor for heart disease, and 26% have two or more risk factors.
Fact: Most people still do not practice healthy behaviors that can prevent obesity
The primary behaviors causing the obesity epidemic are well known and preventable: physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Despite this knowledge:
- Only about 25% of U.S. adults eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- Less than 25% of adolescents eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
- More than 50% of American adults do not get the recommended amount of physical activity to provide health benefits.
- More than a third of young people in grades 9–12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.
Fact: Obesity-related costs place a huge burden on the U.S. economy
- Direct health costs attributable to obesity have been estimated at $52 billion in 1995 and $75 billion in 2003.
- Among children and adolescents, annual hospital costs related to overweight and obesity more than tripled over the past two decades – rising to $127 million during 1997–1999 (in 2001 constant U.S. dollars), up from $35 million during 1979–1981.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/pdf/facts_about_obesity_in_the_united_states.pdf
