In an effort to help combat childhood obesity, Tri-County Youth Services is launching the Jump Rope Project: Jump 2 B Fit in each county. This Service-Learning Project is being launched on Jan. 15 in Calvert County at the Yardley Hills Community Center in Prince Frederick and on Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Day, at the Waldorf Mall (St. Charles Towne Center) and the Jarboe Educational Center in Lexington Park in conjunction with Youth Service America.
 
This effort to fight childhood obesity encourages young people to be involved in educating themselves, their friends, and their communities. Activities will culminate during the weekend of April 24 through 26, Global Youth Service Day.

The Jump Rope Project: Jump 2 B Fit is a program designed by Tri-County Youth Services Bureau that focuses on prevention and intervention for positive youth development. In its efforts to promote both mental and physical health in adolescents, the Bureau is launching a new program that will engage youth in community service programs focused on reducing childhood obesity.

Youth will increase their knowledge of nutrition and fitness, assist in developing a Jump 2 B Fit fact sheet on nutrition and exercise and present the program to adults and peers in a door-to-door campaign in their own neighborhoods.
 
Obesity Health Risks for Children

  • 1 in 3 children in the U.S. is obese.
  • Washington D.C. has the highest rate of childhood obesity in the country.
  • Obese children frequently face physical problems, such as,
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • High cholesterol
    • Elevated blood pressure
    • Hypertension
    • Sleep apnea
    • Increases severity of asthma
    • Long-term physical health problem associated with obesity include:
    • Arthritis
    • Bone health
    • Gallstones
    • Headaches
    • Blurred vision


For more information check out www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity.