LETTER: ‘D’ for children’s overall health is failing Louisiana’s youth

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Dear Editor,

For the fifth straight year, Louisiana receives a “D” for children’s overall health and fitness. Our state must do something about this negative report. Our children deserve better environments that promote healthier lives.


Let’s take a time out! Lawmakers need to make our youth’s health needs to be a priority on their agenda.


The annual report card issued by Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge finds that 41 percent of Louisiana’s youth are overweight or obese. Also, Louisiana’s poor grade reflects the lack of programs or other physical prospects available to our children. Without opportunities to play and exercise, our children won’t engage in enough physical activity.

Since physical activity levels decline throughout adolescence and into adulthood, NOW is the time for us to take action. We have to change our children’s environment and habits, in order to raise healthier children who will become healthy adults.

Fortunately, statewide health policies are a great option to address this problem and can improve the health of the entire state for generations to come. As a community we need to push our lawmakers for their support today!

Catherine Straatmann,

Houma, La.