by Playfuls Staff |
5th April 2007
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is so committed to combating childhood obesity that it will launch itself into a five-year program worth half a billion dollars.
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“This is an epidemic that is going to cost the country in terms of morbidity and mortality and economically,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the foundation’s president and chief executive, in a statement. “The younger generation is going to live sicker and die younger than their parents because of obesity.”
According to the foundation’s estimates, approximately 25 million children 17 and under are obese or overweight. This means nearly a third of the 74 million in that age group, according to Census Bureau data.
Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey added that many of the overweight children live in conditions that do not allow them a healthier lifestyle. They are poor and live in neighborhoods where outdoor play is unsafe while access to fresh fruits and vegetables is limited. “In many cases, the environment makes it almost impossible for them to choose healthy lifestyles. We’re going to try to change that.”
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, one of America's largest philanthropic health foundations, wants to reach that goal by investing in programs that improve access to healthy food and encourage the development of safe play spaces. The foundation is also funding research into obesity and encouraging governments to tackle the issue.
“This is an all-American crisis,” commented Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey. “It affects all Americans and it will require all of America working together to turn it around. To reverse the obesity epidemic and create a culture of health, we must provide families with better access to healthy choices.”
“All communities and populations are adversely affected, particularly low-income communities. Left unabated, the epidemic will overwhelm health care delivery and financing systems and destabilize health programs and other services for children, the elderly and the poor.”
The foundation’s CEO also explained that this situation is complex and due to more factors than one, “genetics, biology, socio-economic factors, commercial and cultural influences, and the 24/7 availability of junk food.”
“There aren't enough safe places for kids to play. We've talked to moms, dads and grandparents in these neighborhoods. All families want to raise healthy kids, but they find it hard to do so because of the barriers they face,” she added.
Robert Wood Johnson, who built Johnson & Johnson into one of the world’s largest health and medical care products companies, established his foundation at his death in 1968. It focuses on improving the health and health care of all Americans.
500 million dollars is the largest amount of money ever donated to fight childhood obesity.
“Individual choice and behavior are important but the world we live in plays a big role, too. We have to make it easier for kids to eat well and move more,” concluded Dr. Lavizzo-Mourey.
