CHILDHOOD obesity and extreme allergies are 21st century problems in need of an old fashioned solution.
Nothing fancy, shiny or digital: just healthy food, exercise and getting a little bit grubby.
Speaking at the launch of the Step-a-thon for Kids, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute ambassador Sarah Murdoch said childhood obesity is a modern problem brought on by modern lifestyles.
“There are more kids with extreme paediatric obesity than childhood cancer, HIV, type one diabetes and cystic fibrosis,” she said. “It’s certainly a disease of the 21st century and it is entirely preventable.”
The Step-a-thon for Kids encourages primary school children across the country to keep active while raising vital funds for child health research.
The first 25,000 primary school kids to register get a pedometer so they can track their progress from September 1-7, when the event officially runs.
By getting their family and friends to sponsor them, every step kids take raises money to fund research into obesity, allergies and other childhood health issues.
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute Director, Professor Kathryn North, said it is important to get kids outside in order to build up their immune systems.
“I do think we need to let kids get down and dirtier because the exposure to what is in the environment is what helps you develop your immune system,” she said.
“While our researchers are working hard to find cures and treatments to child health problems, prevention is always the best solution.
“Instilling the simple message of getting active while kids are young is vital and spreading the message that they can take simple steps to live a healthy lifestyle is so important.”
To register visit: www.stepathon.org.au
Originally published asOld fashioned solution to child obesity