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Make a difference in the health of a child. Please give today.
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About Us
CYCLE Kids is an independent, nonprofit organization designed to introduce children to the joys of cycling, healthy eating and fitness, environmental awareness, and the world of physical science.
Background
The idea grew out of our strong desire to address the health and
emotional issues facing today's under active, often overweight children.
Study after study has shown childhood obesity to be directly related to
lack of physical exercise, poor nutritional habits, and lack of intellectual
stimulation. The bicycle is the ideal tool to engage youth in a physical
activity that inspires confidence, curiosity, and independence.
How serious is the problem?
Obesity among children is at epidemic levels. Not only will this translate
into shorter life spans, it will put a tremendous burden on our health
care system. Hospital costs for diseases related to childhood obesity
have increased from $35 million in 1979 to $127 million in 1999.
One way or another, childhood obesity affects us all. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. It is critical for schools to get involved and implement programs to introduce children to exercise and healthy nutrition. U.S. obesity-attributable medical expenditures reached $75 billion in 2003…taxpayers finance about half of these costs through Medicare and Medicaid.
CYCLE Kids is a practical solution to issues documented in several Government and scientific surveys on the effects of overweight and obesity conditions among children and adults, and the impact of childhood obesity on society.
What we are doing now.
Working with both public and private schools, CYCLE Kids provides
an after-school cycling focused curriculum that encourages children to
increase their level of physical activity and become more aware of how
food affects health. They will learn about achieving balance between work
and play, discover their full intellectual, physical and social potential,
and develop leadership and team work skills.
At a time when we are seeing adults living longer, healthier lives, it is alarming to read that our children may have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. According to the American Dietetic Association, obesity rates have tripled in school-age children and adolescents since 1970. And they continue to rise. Today's children are harmed more by poor diet and inactivity than by alcohol, drugs, and tobacco combined. In fact, obesity is the second most preventable cause of death, just percentage points behind tobacco smoking. We need to counter these trends NOW.