Authored by Maisha Simmons, assistant vice president of Equity & Culture and Amelie Ramirez, director, Salud America!
The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened children in ways we can’t even fully comprehend—from the uncertainties of remote learning and social isolation to the economic and health challenges straining their families. Today, this toll on kids’ health and well-being is becoming apparent.
One facet of this is childhood obesity, and new data show this urgent health threat in New Jersey, particularly among children of color. The state’s obesity rate among youth ages 10 to 17 is 13.8%. New Jersey is actually doing better than most states; even so, too many young people are still at greater risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. Children’s health issues today risk becoming burdens as they grow older.
The above is an excerpt of a piece originally published in the Star-Ledger.
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