Get Kids Active!

Today over one-third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese in the United States. In Alameda County, portions of District Two have some of the highest youth obesity rates in the county. Childhood obesity can lead to many issues for children and adolescents, including an increased risk for high cholesterol and high blood pressure (indicators of cardiovascular disease), high fasting insulin (an early indicator of diabetes risk), and a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.

How did we get here? More and more children today have larger meal proportions, eat more fast food, have had gym and sports programs cut at school, and spend more time in front of TV's and computers. These unhealthy habits have caused obesity to become second only to tobacco use as the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States.

In response to what is now recognized as a national epidemic, First Lady Michelle Obama launched an ambitious national goal and campaign of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight - "Let's Move!"

Alameda County embraces this goal and takes a proactive and collaborative approach to working with cities, school districts, and community partners to address health concerns and disparities in the county. Utilize the programs below to Get Kids Active and turn the tide on unhealthy trends.

Programs to Get Kids Active!