MN kids might live shorter lives than parents

What is the value of the lives of our children? If your answer is, immeasurable, well, things have to change now according to a health commission report out of Washington D.C.

The report comes from the Robert Wood Johnson foundation's Commission To Build A Healthier America.

A commission of doctors and others in tune with health care said today that if the behaviors of children do not change, the average life expectancy in Minnesota will drop for the generation of children we are raising now by 5 years.

"To think that my daughter or my grand-daughter will live sicker, shorter lives than I did is just, as one commissioner said a call to arms.

We must stop this," Commission member Carole Simpson said. The commission gave three recommendations to reverse this impending change for everyone in the United States.

First, all school meals must be healthy meals.

Second, fresh and healthy foods must be made available in low income neighborhoods.

Third, all students in k-12 schools must be required to be physically active every single day.

"We have learned form many studies that if children get a good start in development at an early age they will be healthier later on," Commission member Alice Rivlin said.

The commission says it's time to stop relying on the health care system to make us healthy and time for parents and schools to join in and demand better eating habits and more physical activity.

"What you learn to eat at home is what you consider good food for the rest of your life," U of M Medical Center Pediatrician Dr. Carolyn McKay said.

By Jana Shortal, KARE 11 News Read Jana's Blog

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