Last week, the Tallahassee Democrat rolled out a series of articles focused around children. One in particular stood out to me, entitled "Health woes mount for kids" by Angeline Taylor, addressing childhood obesity in Leon County and all of Florida.

Nationwide and internationally, many celebrities - from the First Lady's campaign to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - are highlighting childhood obesity as a growing problem. It's time we took the torch.

Fat Facts

• Obesity is now the most prevalent nutritional disease of children and adolescents in the United States.
• Obese children and teens have been found to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose tolerance.
• Less common health conditions associated with increased weight include asthma, hepatic steatosis, sleep apnea and Type 2 diabetes.
• We've long known that overweight children are often the target of bullying, and this is considered a psychosocial consequence of childhood obesity. Low self-esteem could hinder academic and social success, and can carry on into adulthood.

A combination of healthy foods and an active lifestyle is obviously the solution. But if children don't see these healthy choices encouraged and modeled by their parents, they don't see the value in it. Keep that New Years Resolution to eat better and get more exercise - it's good for your own body, and your kids' bodies, too.

This Saturday morning, seven of the Seminole Sitters are volunteering their time to man the kids' station at the American Lung Association in Florida's annual Fight for Air Walk. This is a great opportunity to meet some of our staff, while they help the kids on the free bounce house, offer face painting, and more! Enjoy the day, support a great cause, and come out to meet the sitters!

The Fight for Air Walk is an event where families, friends, businesses, schools or individuals walk to help make a difference in the millions of lives affected by lung disease. Whether you are on a team or walking by yourself, this is a great way to show your community that you are fighting for air. When you finish the walk, we hope you will walk away with a new-found respect for your lungs.