Garden Acupuncture shares information on the nations obesity and overall health concerns.

President Barack Obama has released a memorandum outlining the importance of combating childhood obesity. Approximately 30% of children in the United States are overweight and the president outlined strategies to address the weight issue for the nation's youth. President Obama has clearly stated that public outreach and the formation of a task force are central to his plan.

First Lady Michelle Obama took a lead role in bringing national awareness concerning this epidemic through the Let's Move organization. She works with public, nonprofit, and private sectors to support measures to address childhood obesity. Let’s Move also focuses on working with families and communities.

The rate of childhood obesity in young children has doubled and tripled for adolescents since 1980. Estimations show that at least 1/3rd of today's children will suffer from diabetes and others will contract other obesity related illness including high blood pressure (HBP) and heart disease.

The presidential directive states that immediate action is required on preventing obesity related illnesses and consequential burdens on the nation’s healthcare system.

The memorandum establishes a task force which focuses on parent nutritional education, physical exercise, and affordable food options in schools and communities.  The task force includes cabinet members such as the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Special attention will be given to healthy, affordable food; increased physical activity in schools and communities, healthier food in schools, and informing parents and caregivers concerning healthy choices. Let’s Move takes up these initiatives and actively works to achieve these health related goals.

Building on this momentum, the new health reform law requires that chain restaurants and vending machines with more than 20 locations to label food calorie information. The new health reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed recently by President Obama provides funding for a childhood obesity reduction project.

The health reform law identifies obesity reduction as an important method to prevent illness and it plans to use education and counseling services as well as community funding for projects to end obesity.

Can acupuncture help with weight loss? To learn more about what Garden Acupuncture can do to help you reach your own weight loss goals click here.

To read one of our own doctor’s weight loss success stories (over 110 pound weight loss) click here.

To learn even more about nutrition and weight loss watch the videos below.