Heart Association fighting for our health

Nearly one in five Florida children is overweight or obese. About 23 percent of children get no physical activity at all.

This has organizations such as the American Heart Association worried. Overweight kids are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, heart disease or high cholesterol.

So it seems right that the Florida Legislature just passed a bill requiring 30 minutes of physical education a day for every child in elementary school. After all, taxpayers are footing huge bills to take care of medical problems in sedentary children.

We applaud Gov. Charlie Christ for establishing the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. Government needs to promote physical fitness and proper nutrition for everyone in Florida.

"It is absolutely critical that we find ways to help children adopt healthy habits they can carry into adulthood," Christ said.

But isn't that our job?

Don't we, as parents, shoulder the burden of teaching our kids to live healthy lives. And, shouldn't we as a community do all we can do insure that our children have every chance at a long life?

That's why we should support the Heart Association.

Its annual Lee County Heart Ball is this Saturday. The group hopes to raise at least $500,000 for its fight against heart disease through research and education.

But don't sit back and let someone else give all the money needed to fight heart disease.

If you can't afford the $300 to attend the ball, send them something. We'll have healthier kids and healthier adults. That's a win-win for all of us.

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