To solve the problem of childhood obesity here on the Vineyard and throughout the nation we must start with ourselves. Everyone should make a healthier lifestyle a priority. Parents should be educated on the right food choices they should be feeding their families and exercise should be a must. As the young people of Martha’s Vineyard we can help promote a healthier lifestyle by doing a few things like putting together a “day of play” or going to the elementary schools and encouraging kids to play sports after school instead of Xbox. We could also do some research and discover what the best meals are for your body and educate people through classes or workshops. There are endless possibilities; someone just has to be willing to get it started.

During the “day of play” we could advertise and ask parents to help encourage their kids to go outside and partake in some sort of social physical activity for a few hours. We could even make it like a field day where we set up a bunch of different games and activities so kids that are used to sitting in the house all day can see how much fun playing games and sports outside can be. This could be an annual event; kids could really get excited about it.

Athletes from each sport could take turns going around to the elementary schools and try to recruit middle school students to get involved in sports. They could tell them how much fun sports are and how important it is to be in good shape. If older kids are encouraging younger kids to get involved in something, the younger kids will probably be more inclined to listen because they look up to kids that are older than themselves.

Putting together a workshop for parents where they can learn about nutrition and what is important for their children to be eating could also be extremely helpful. We could make sample meals of what is good to eat and what is not so good to eat. Many parents were never taught how to eat themselves so they just carry on what they know to their children causing a chain of bad habits. Education is the key to everything; if the time is taken out to properly educate someone on a topic they will learn what is necessary to know and positive changes will be made.

Healthier lifestyles are attainable. People just need to be willing to take the time out of their own lives to help others around them. If everyone does a small part eventually it will spiral into a huge success, and changes will be made. We just need to come together as one group working for the betterment of our Island community and then eventually the nation begins to change unhealthy lifestyles.