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Every Child Needs: How a Community Can Create a Healthy Environment

By Carrie Skogsberg, Communications Director, American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate September 13, 2017

September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and the American Heart Association and Voices for Healthy Kids are spreading awareness of what communities can do to help their children grow up healthy through its campaign Every Child Needs.

No matter where a child is growing up, he or she deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life. Unfortunately, barriers still exist in most communities, and research shows that WHERE you live can have a significant impact on your health, even more so than your genes. 

Thirty million people in neighborhoods nationwide have little or no access to nutritious food like fruits and vegetables, and almost two-thirds of teens living in the United States don’t get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. While progress is being made to help children grow up healthy, every state has communities with greater gaps and racial disparities.

To make sure all kids can lead a long and healthy life, a new campaign called Every Child Needs is shedding light on the types of resources schools and communities need to create healthy environments that help children succeed.

Every Child Needs…Access to Healthy Foods 

McLean County has its own obstacles for healthy living. “The west side of Bloomington is a food desert,” says Katie McHugh, Health Promotion Program Manager, McLean County Health Department. A food desert can be identified as an area that lacks available fresh fruits and vegetables, where most food is purchased from fast food chains or convenience stores. 

“The McLean County Wellness Coalition is helping to break down this barrier, allowing residents in that area of town to have better access to fresh produce,” said McHugh. “The West Bloomington Revitalization Project has partnered with Beacon of Hope to facilitate the Veggie Oasis, which happens every Saturday during the farmers’ market season. Leftover produce from the market is gleaned and distributed on a first-come first-served basis to local families. Macon County Wellness Coalition volunteers manage the distribution.” 

Every Child Needs…a Healthy School or Daycare 

Workplaces, daycares and schools are all an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to offering a child’s best chance for health. It starts from birth – the American Heart Association and Voices for Healthy Kids recommend hospitals and worksites provide support for breast feeding mothers, and daycare centers should provide the opportunity for physical activity and good nutrition.

“At daycare, children need space to be active through play, and healthy foods to fuel that play, such as milk, water, or fruits and veggies,” says Jacqueline Lanier, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Education at Illinois State University. 

“And at school, kids need space and time to be active through recess and in class activities. Schools should provide quality physical education to teach life skills that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy habits. Nutritious lunches and snacks at school help keep kids fueled with proper nutrients so they can stay focused during the day.”

The American Heart Association recommends children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whole grains and dairy, while limiting added sugars to fewer than 6 teaspoons per day. That is easier said than done in some low-income communities, which makes it even more important for community organizations and the business community to help provide programs that offer children a safe place to play and learn. 

Every Child Needs…a Healthy Community 

Advocates wanted! You can help to make a difference in your community by supporting policies the American Heart Association is working to pass in Illinois, including more quality physical education in schools, nutritious school lunch programs, safe routes for biking and walking to school and more. Join the You’re the Cure network to regularly stay in contact with your local legislators about these health topics and more at www.yourethecure.org.