A Sad Day

On May 1st, one of the best things to happen to the fight against child obesity in New York State will come to an end. NYSHEPA (New York State Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Alliance), an organization that I highly admire and respect, lost the funding to continue their much needed efforts.

Since 2006 NYSHEPA was committed to the following:

• Promote organizational policies, regulations and environmental changes that support healthy eating and fitness.
• Educate the community about promising regulatory and legislative solutions to improve eating and physical activity in New York State
• Unite like-minded organizations into one statewide voice in support of our mission
• Disseminate evidence-based strategies and tools to a variety of public and private settings
• Involve industry in discussions aimed at improving food and fitness environments in New York
• Seek funding to support the goals and infrastructure of the alliance
• Preserve its credibility and independence by not accepting food or beverage industry funds

These efforts were driven by co-founder Nancy Huehnergarth and a team of New York State's top youth health, fitness, and nutrition experts.

I was honored to be a part of these efforts when Nancy asked for me to conduct state-wide workshops on their new Healthy Kids, Healthy New York after-school toolkit. The toolkit and training was supported by a grant from the National Governor's Association.

Traveling around the state talking about my life's passion, keeping children active and healthy, was an incredible and eye opening experience to say the least.

I saw that our upstate after school programs are dealing with the same struggles as after school programs in New York City - lack of funds, limited access to healthy food options, high rates of child obesity, the need for more parent support, and untrained after school staff.

In a time when the general public is becoming overwhelmed, maybe even desensitized, to the staggering child obesity stats, organizations like NYSHEPA served as the elbow in the ribs reminder that we have a serious problem that can't be ignored.

Sure, shows like Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and Michelle Obama's amazing Let's Move initiative are creating more awareness, but this is a war that is going to be won in the trenches.
When the rallying cry of an organization like NYSHEPA goes silent it is the responsibility of coaches, teachers, social workers, after school counselors, parents and community leaders to become the voice for change.

The voice for every innocent child that is a victim to the poor decisions adults sometimes make.

The voice for what's just.
The voice for every child's right to play.
The voice for a better way of life for our children.