Healthy Kids Month

WHEREAS, childhood obesity has increased more than fourfold among children ages 6 to 11; and

WHEREAS, more than 23 million children and teenagers in the United States ages 2 to 19 are obese or overweight, a statistic that health and medical experts consider an epidemic; and

WHEREAS, this epidemic puts nearly one third of Alabamians’ children at early risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and even stroke – conditions usually associated with adulthood; and

WHEREAS, each Alabamian can play a role in ensuring our children have the opportunity to live long, heathly lives, by joining together in pursuit of that mission; and

WHEREAS, organizations and businesses such as the Alabama Y play an important role in educating youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for Alabama’s youth; and

WHEREAS, through Healthy Kids Month, we can recognize the outstanding work our businesses, communities, and families are doing to help Alabama meet its responsibility of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 2014, as

Healthy Kids Month

in the State of the Alabama, and I urge my fellow citizens to join in this effort to decrease the problem of childhood obesity.