Childhood obesity is one of our nation’s leading health threats. Nearly one in three children and teens in the U.S. who are overweight or obese. The obesity epidemic is clearly taking its toll, as more and more kids are developing conditions and diseases typically associated with adults.  For example, one in three babies born in the year 2000 developed type 2 diabetes.

If obesity among kids continues to increase, many believe this current generation of young people will become the first in American history to live shorter lives than their parents.

Faced with this growing epidemic, the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, united in 2005 and formed the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, joined the Alliance in 2007 and served as a co-lead along with President Bill Clinton and President of the American Heart Association, Tim Gardner, MD.

The goal of the Alliance was to stop the nationwide increase in childhood obesity by 2010 and to take bold, innovative steps to help all children live longer and healthier lives. The Alliance is having a positive impact on the places that can make a difference to a child’s health: homes, schools, doctors’ offices, and communities.

The Alliance is uniquely positioned to create change through the combination of the American Heart Association’s extensive reach into communities across the country, its credible science expertise, strong presence in schools, and nation-wide network of volunteers and supporters, coupled with the entrepreneurial approach, powerful influence, and innovation of the William J. Clinton Foundation.

To ensure that future generations won’t struggle with illnesses associated with poor food choices and lack of physical activity, the Alliance is taking preemptive measures against obesity focusing on its four key initiatives:  (1) the healthy schools program; (2) industry initiative; (3) healthcare initiative and (4) The Go Healthy Challenge Kids Movement.

Healthy Schools Program:  Launched in February of 2006, it was believed that helping schools is one of the most efficient and effective ways to shape the lifelong health and well-being of children and adolescents. The Healthy Schools Program was created to improve schools in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and staff wellness. The program sets criteria for healthy schools and recognizes schools that meet these criteria. The criteria contain benchmarks for best practices in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and staff wellness. Schools must meet the criteria in all of the domains in order to achieve the recognition status.

Industry Initiative:  The Alliance believes that companies can be socially responsible while continuing to be profitable. By engaging in discussions with a range of industry segments such as food, beverage, restaurant, fitness, entertainment and gaming, agreements are created to improve children’s access to healthier foods and encourage physical activity.

Healthcare Initiative:  As rates of childhood overweight and obesity increase, it was imperative that the healthcare industry understand the need for action. Children are being diagnosed with obesity-related health conditions that up until now were seen exclusively in adults, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Obesity negatively impacts both the health of the child and that of the healthcare system due to the severe financial costs associated with the condition over the life of the diagnosed.

Go Healthy Challenge Kids’ Movement:  Since 2005 the Alliance for a Healthier Generation—a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation—has been creating a by kids, for kids movement inspiring millions of kids to live healthier lives. To date, nearly 1 million kids across the country have engaged and taken the Go Healthy Challenge by making a commitment to learn about healthy lifestyles and committing to help themselves, their families, friends and communities make positive changes.