Today I had the privilege of participating in a healthy food
cook-off sponsored by the Health Department, Stratford University and Urbanite Magazine. I was also joined by
Mark Furst, President of United Way of
Central Maryland, who is and a strong supporter of healthier food access,
as well as food judges from our military.
Students from Dunbar High School had the opportunity to
learn how chicken nuggets sold in fast food restaurants are made. Then
Chef Todd Mohr led them in a hands-on experience to make healthier alternatives
with chicken breasts. It’s a big misconception that eating healthy costs
more and it takes more time to prepare healthy dishes. These young teens got to
see that healthier alternatives are not difficult to make. They also learned
why it’s important to know about the ingredients used in fast food. Learning
about healthy and tasty alternatives to greasy, fried foods is an important
step to taking control of our individual health.
As I told the students, the
obesity epidemic is ravaging this city. Here in Baltimore City, 37% of public high school students are overweight
or at risk of becoming obese. Overweight children are more likely to develop
Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other chronic health
problems, as well as heart attacks, stroke, cancer and other acute diseases
throughout life.
Combating childhood obesity, therefore, must continue to be a top
priority for our local communities. We cannot fight this from City Hall, or the
State House, or at a single hospital. It is going to take a collaborative public-private
effort – like we experienced today –to truly make a difference for our
children.
There are way too many people dying too young because of
obesity related health conditions such as heart disease, which kills more
people every year in Baltimore than the four top causes of cancer death
combined.
I commend the Urbanite, Chef Mohr and Assistant Principal Mattie
Burton of Dunbar High School for creating an opportunity that will teach these
students culinary skills that will serve them well now and in the future.
What strategies do you use to teach your children about
healthy eating?
