September 6, 2023 - Valley Children's Healthcare and Fresno State announced on Tuesday the return of the regional community health initiative Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures., with a focus on the physical well-being of kids and young adults in the Central Valley.

“Regular exercise not only reduces a child’s risk of preventable diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is also important for kids’ development, attention, memory and mental health,” says Dr. Carmela Sosa, complex care pediatrician and director of the Valley Children’s Guilds Center for Community Health. “Valley Children’s is excited to partner with Fresno State again on this continuing public service awareness campaign to elevate the health of our kids and communities.”

“Parents don’t need to be athletes or coaches to make sure their kids are getting enough exercise,” says Fresno State Medical Services Director Dr. Robert Mitchell. “Through this program, we want to show families that by making physical activity fun and cooking healthy meals together, they are teaching kids life-long habits that will benefit them in college and into adulthood.”

The Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures. website at www.valleychildrens.org/healthykids has been updated with new resources featuring Fresno State Head Football Coach Jeff Tedford and NFL Network Analyst and Valley Children’s Ambassador and NFL Network Analyst David Carr. Instructional videos and tips provide parents with ideas based on their child’s age group to incorporate exercise into their daily routine.

Throughout the month of September, tune in to ABC30 and Univision 21 Fresno as they explore the benefits of movement and how to stay safe while exercising.
Source: Valley Children's Healthcare, Madera, CA.