AMERICUS, GA (WALB) -
Obesity and diabetes are on the rise among the youngest members of our community. And Saturday, hundreds of people gathered in Albany to teach children about keeping their bodies healthy.
Hundreds of parents spent their Saturday morning teaching their kids to make health a priority. Tiffaney Johnson drove all the way from Atlanta to be apart of the health conference.
"I am an educator, a teacher of 16 years, and I know that it is very important for us to be aware of our children's health and making sure that they have the right nutrition that they need," says Tiffaney Johnson, parent.
And hundreds of children were screened for a number of health issues that plague our community.
"Healthy children are going to end up being healthy adults, so we want to start them off on the right track, we have all healthy food here, and we want to show them that you can have fun, stay fit, and be healthy at the same time," says Marcus Johnson, Phoebe Sumter's Director of Marketing & PR.
Johnson says the rate of diabetes has risen from 9% in 2000 to more than 23% in 2008, and childhood obesity continues to climb at an alarming rate.
"It has a lot to do with kids being stationary, not doing anything, so we felt like, today for 3 hours, we are going to get them running, jumping, sweating, it is a little hot in their but we want it that way, we want them to built up a sweat so they can burn some calories, and see that as fun," says Johnson.
Along with emphasizing exercise, organizers also focused on promoting better eating habits.
"We have apples, all kinds of fruit, yogurt, things that some kids might not get the chance to eat or even know that they are good or good for them," says Johnson.
And as a teacher, Tiffaney Johnson knows just how important it is for kids to eat healthy, especially in school.
"Nutrition keeps them focused, so they are not focused on their hunger, but focused on the actual lesson and the learning that they are receiving at school," says Johnson.
Because learning those nutritious eating habits now, will help them make healthier choices as adults.
This was the first annual children's health conference, but Phoebe Sumter hopes to continue this for years to come.
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