Letter to Editor - CM220-40

Letter to Editor

Dear Editor,

            My name is Anita Felder, and I’m currently pursuing a degree in the Health and Wellness field.  As a mother, wife, and grandmother of five, I’m deeply concerned about the obesity crisis specifically, among our children and adolescents.  The obesity rate among children and adolescent in Covington is 12.4%.  This is closer to the 14.6% rate for the entire state of Georgia.  I think that is shameful in a population of only 100,000 people.
            Most parents I talk to like to point fingers and blame others for why their children are either overweight or obese.  But really, who’s at fault here?  Is government to blame?  Is it the Food Industry?  Media?  Or perhaps school administrators?  There is certainly enough blame to go around.  The truth is, we are all responsible for this crisis, and parents in particular need and should be more accountable for what and how much their children are eating.  We may not be able to control what they’re eating outside the home, but we have the power and the authority to practice good eating habits inside the home.
            Parents are well aware of the obesity crisis among children and adolescents, but are either in denial, don’t care, or don’t know where or how to begin in getting their child to eat healthy and maintain a quality level of physical activity.  Other parents may have given up, but not from lack of trying.
            I know I may not be able to solve the obesity rate for the state of Georgia, but I would like to give it a shot here in my local community, and eventually branch outwards.  My goal is to help educate parents about the importance of proper eating habits and physical activity.  I can show them how they can gradually and effectively wen their children away from unhealthy eating practices and start eating a variety of foods that will include nutrients for good health and that will enhance their over-all well-being.  Additionally, there are a number of ways parents can involve children in physical activity, such as limiting their screen time.  For example, child wants to watch his/her TV or play video games, parent wants child to exercise.  What’s a parent/child to do? Simple. If child don’t exercise, then child don’t watch TV.  It worked in the 50s.  It can work in today’s society.
           I’m asking that you help me by informing the public that a call to action meeting will take place at the Newton County Library on January 22, 2013. Interested participants can contact me via email at XXX or by telephone at XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Anita Felder