Inactivity is second only to smoking as a high risk factor that leads to cardio-vascular disease, Brown said. We have an increase of adult onset diabetes in teenage youth because of lack of physical activity and we're seeing an increase in hypertension in teenagers. That really stuns me. Health providers believe there needs to be a comprehensive plan for prevention in the Delta, one that includes nutritionists and physical education teachers. To many, illness is an unexplained phenomena, not something science based, said Clarksdale nephrologist Dr. Karl Hatten.
Children grow up with no understanding of what causes illness or how to prevent it.
Children need to begin taking mandatory health classes in elementary school, Hatten believes. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service. We welcome your comments. E-mail us .