Puerto Rico is dealing an epidemic that is plaguing many American children, obesity. Nearly 25% of all Puerto Rican children are struggling with obesity. Country officials are alarmed that if intervention is not taken, the newest generation has become so unhealthy that the children will die before their parents.The staggering number of overweight kids has prompted the government to invest $8 million dollars in an island wide program called "Puerto Rico in Shape". Children who are battling cholesterol, high blood pressure and the earlier stages of heart disease are taking part in physician ordered exercise classes and learning to eat better at home. Some officials are expecting this change in lifestyle to be an uphill battle for many families. There are concerns about a culture where a chubby baby is valued as a healthy baby. Many Puerto Rican children come from homes where both parents work and dinner is often fast food, a dilemma that most American families face. It will be interesting to follow this story and observe if the Puerto Rican program has success. If so, it could be a helpful plan for more American communities to follow.
