Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.

The prevalence of obesity in children aged 6-11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008 in adolescents 12-19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%. http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/.

Alabama has the 2nd highest rate of adult obesity in the nation, at 31.2 percent and the 6th highest of overweight youths (ages 10-17) at 36.1 percent, according to a new report by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2009/release.php?stateid=AL.

Healthy Eating Active Living is empowering children to fight obesity, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other health problems through an elementary school physical education wellness program.

6-Month Pilot Results Show of children involved in the HEAL program:

  • 75% of all children improved fitness
  • 57% of overweight and obese children reduced their BMI (body mass index)
  • 100% of children reported improvements in healthful eating