Before the epidemic of childhood obesety life for children was a lot simpler. Children would play outdoors with their friends in their neighborhoods; they would walk or bike to school and then get home and sit down with their families to dinner and do their homework. Children today do not have those luxuries. Most children take the bus or are driven to school. Many kids do not play outside and do not have gym time. When they get home, instead of playing outside they sit down to the TV or the computer. Many parents work, so they come home to fast food that is filled with preservatives. This fast life has created a society of obese children. Children that do not know what whole foods look like. Have never been exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables and cannot relate to the feeling of being tired from running and playing with friends outdoors in the fresh air all day. HIP4Kids is changing all of that! They are helping to educate children about this obesity epidemic and inspiring them to take their health into their own hands. I applaud HIP4Kids and congratulate them on their efforts. Everyone has to do their part to turn this epidemic around and HIP4Kids is making a difference. Former First Lady of New York State Michelle Paige Paterson