MBTA Gets Tech-Savvy
Gov Deval Patrick & Rep. Gloria Fox were on hand at Ruggles Station Sept. 9 for the launch of real-time bus location and arrival information on mbta.com/apps.
Empowered Youth, Empowered Communities
Youth Fighting Fat: Empowered Youth, Empowered Communities
Part 3
by Talia Whyte
The Mattapan Farmers’ Market is a youth-led initiative spearheaded by the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. Healthy food has become more affordable in the city this year, due in part to the Bounty Bucks program, which enables low income Bostonians to have access to products available at city farmers’ markets while strengthening the economy for local farmers. For purchases up to $20, a customer’s EBT card will be debited for half the cost. In addition, most of the food at the Mattapan market comes from farms in neighboring Milton, which helps reduce the carbon miles food travels from farm to table.
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Soda-Free Kids
Youth Fighting Fat: Soda-Free Kids
Part 2
by Talia Whyte
This summer, the Boston Public Health Commission launched its Soda-Free Summer media challenge, which is an effort to call attention to the high caloric and high sugar content of soda and other artificial drinks. Sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are closely associated with a variety of health ailments in addition to obesity, such as diabetes, liver disease and tooth decay. Bostonians are being encouraged to choose healthier drink options like water, low-fat milk and small portions of 100 percent fruit juices.
According to statistics provided by the Commission, the highest consumers of SSBs are adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, and particularly males, blacks, Latinos, low income residents and those with a family history of obesity. About half of Boston high school students are either overweight or at-risk of being overweight.
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Growing a Healthy Community
Youth Fighting Fat: Growing a Healthy Community
Part 1
by Talia Whyte
Obesity has become a very big issue of concern nationwide in recent months. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, well over half of Americans are either considered overweight or obese. The problem came to a crossroads last year when the CDC released a report, showing that Americans spend approximately $147 billion on obesity related health care costs.
Obesity is especially a problem among America’s youth. According to a book I read recently on childhood obesity called Super Sized Kids, only four percent of American children were considered obese in 1960. Today that number has skyrocketed to 15 percent and is almost triple that number in certain minority groups. This is the first generation of youth in American history whose life expectancy may actually decrease.
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