We need healthy kids for a healthy future

Childhood obesity continues to be a growing epidemic that has numerous ramifications on our country. A recent report regarding national security stated that almost half of U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 to 24 are not physically eligible to serve in our country's military because they are overweight or obese. This poses a serious threat to our national security and our health care system.

Health care costs continue to skyrocket as obesity and the chronic diseases associated with them develop and grow.

As a country, we have failed our young people. We have not educated them on the importance of being healthy. And more importantly, many parents have not taken an active role to invest in their own health to be able to guide their children to a healthy lifestyle.

If we do not address the obesity crisis, health care reform was for nothing. Kids are our country's future; without healthy kids, we do not have a prospering and protected nation.

Allie Reiter

University of Iowa student

Iowa City