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Community Corner

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in Northbrook

Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation recognizing September 2013 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and Northbrook families should consider looking toward taekwondo as way of participating in this initiative. “While most Northbrook children are not obese, we are in danger of the scales tipping the other way,” stated Luciano Medina, President of the Illinois Taekwondo State Association.   

When asked about why this initiative was important to the ITSA, Medina cited the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IADP), which reported that childhood obesity has tripled since the 1980s. Northbrook residents should take note that according to the IAPD website, more than 25 percent of Illinois youth from ages 12-16 are overweight. “As adults, parents, and taekwondo school owners, we feel that we have a responsibility to the Northbrook community to raise awareness about this issue to help stop the trend that has already occurred,” Medina commented.

“This is great for Northbrook residents,” said Bruce Harris, CEO of USA Taekwondo, which is the non-profit governing body for the sport of taekwondo to the US Olympic Committee.  “I’m glad to see the ITSA taking a stand. With taekwondo, not only can Northbrook kids stay healthy but someday they just might find themselves competing in the Olympics because of it.” 

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