- Source:
- http://www.SportsOneSource.com/
The New Balance Foundation announced that they are joining The First Lady, Michelle Obama in her efforts to end childhood obesity.
"We are proud to join forces with the First Lady and the White House on our shared commitment to getting more kids active and embracing healthier lifestyles," says Anne Davis, managing trustee of the New Balance Foundation. "As a corporate foundation we have stood behind the prevention of childhood obesity for the last decade and we recognize that a strong collaborative effort between government, non-profit and private sectors can truly make a difference in addressing this serious epidemic. We look forward to working closely with The First Lady to achieve her national goal of solving the childhood obesity challenge within a generation."
The New Balance Foundation's primary objective is to promote healthy lifestyles for children and families with the majority of its grant funding focused on the prevention of childhood obesity. The Foundation recognizes that childhood obesity is a growing epidemic with the percentage of children who are obese doubling and the percentage of obese adults tripling in the past 30 years. Today, nearly one third of all children in America are obese or overweight. The New Balance Foundation seeks to address this epidemic using a holistic approach that involves children and those who impact children - including caregivers, educators, medical professionals, after-school providers and the community as a whole.
"The First Lady is committed to ending childhood obesity over the next 18 years and we are equally committed to working with her team to increase support for existing programs and collaborate to develop new and creative ideas that achieve her goal," says Davis.
In 2009, The New Balance Foundation granted more than $6 million to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.