Creating Generation Healthy
My entire childhood was spent active and outdoors. Whether I was playing with my dogs, jumping on a trampoline or biking through our neighborhood, I have always loved to move. However, in December of 2012, all of that changed. I had just competed in my first gymnastics invitational of the year and was excited to get back to practice. Back in the gym, during a tumbling pass in my floor routine, I adjusted my landing to avoid a collision with another gymnast, but instead, landed on my head and neck. I had a concussion.
When you have a head injury you’re not allowed to do any physical activity. Over the course of my six-month recovery, I experienced firsthand the effects that lack of exercise and poor eating habits can have. It was then I realized that my ability to be active was something I never again wanted to take for granted. This is how Creating Generation Healthy was born.
According to the World Health Organization childhood obesity rates have tripled within the last three decades. In fact, 1 out of every 3 children between the ages 2-18 are currently overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for life threatening diseases including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and stroke. To prevent obesity, it is important that the focus be on children, because habits formed during youth often last well into adulthood. That is why I have created a two-step plan: "ME”— Move More and Eat Real.
MOVE MORE: To create a generation of healthy kids it starts with physical activity. Move More encourages children to get their recommended 60 minutes of active play every day. To help kids get moving more in a fun way, I have produced multiple children's exercise videos on YouTube called Active with Annika. When working with organizations like Girl Scouts, I have encouraged getting physical by teaching a short fitness routine and encouraging movement wherever kids are. In addition, I serve as an activities leader at Great Beginnings Childcare, and have also coached youth gymnastics.
EAT REAL: Eat Real inspires kids to make healthy food choices, like lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. To help children learn more about eating real, I started Little Sprouts Garden Gang, a program where I partner with childcare facilities, providing them with free vegetable seeds and program information to plant gardens with their daycare kids. I have grow this organization to a multinational level by planting gardens in all 50 states and Canada! I have also led over 2,400 children in the MyPlate Pledge, and have spoken with students, educators, community leaders, and child care associations across the state. Lastly, throughout my journey with creating Generation Healthy I have also partnered with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), and Perham's Community Wellness.
While “ME” is the perfect way to help kids remember their health and wellness tips, it’s also important to spread the word to parents and community members. I have organized Creating Generation Healthy food drives, fundraisers and have volunteered with over 38 service organizations . I have recorded public service announcements and utilized social media as well as my own personal blog and website for Creating Generation Healthy. I also published a children's book, Come and Plant a Garden with Me, to spread awareness and raise funds for my platform.
Reversing childhood obesity is within reach, and I am excited to continue the momentum I started to promote positive change.
My entire childhood was spent active and outdoors. Whether I was playing with my dogs, jumping on a trampoline or biking through our neighborhood, I have always loved to move. However, in December of 2012, all of that changed. I had just competed in my first gymnastics invitational of the year and was excited to get back to practice. Back in the gym, during a tumbling pass in my floor routine, I adjusted my landing to avoid a collision with another gymnast, but instead, landed on my head and neck. I had a concussion.
When you have a head injury you’re not allowed to do any physical activity. Over the course of my six-month recovery, I experienced firsthand the effects that lack of exercise and poor eating habits can have. It was then I realized that my ability to be active was something I never again wanted to take for granted. This is how Creating Generation Healthy was born.
According to the World Health Organization childhood obesity rates have tripled within the last three decades. In fact, 1 out of every 3 children between the ages 2-18 are currently overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for life threatening diseases including heart disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and stroke. To prevent obesity, it is important that the focus be on children, because habits formed during youth often last well into adulthood. That is why I have created a two-step plan: "ME”— Move More and Eat Real.
MOVE MORE: To create a generation of healthy kids it starts with physical activity. Move More encourages children to get their recommended 60 minutes of active play every day. To help kids get moving more in a fun way, I have produced multiple children's exercise videos on YouTube called Active with Annika. When working with organizations like Girl Scouts, I have encouraged getting physical by teaching a short fitness routine and encouraging movement wherever kids are. In addition, I serve as an activities leader at Great Beginnings Childcare, and have also coached youth gymnastics.
EAT REAL: Eat Real inspires kids to make healthy food choices, like lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. To help children learn more about eating real, I started Little Sprouts Garden Gang, a program where I partner with childcare facilities, providing them with free vegetable seeds and program information to plant gardens with their daycare kids. I have grow this organization to a multinational level by planting gardens in all 50 states and Canada! I have also led over 2,400 children in the MyPlate Pledge, and have spoken with students, educators, community leaders, and child care associations across the state. Lastly, throughout my journey with creating Generation Healthy I have also partnered with The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), and Perham's Community Wellness.
While “ME” is the perfect way to help kids remember their health and wellness tips, it’s also important to spread the word to parents and community members. I have organized Creating Generation Healthy food drives, fundraisers and have volunteered with over 38 service organizations . I have recorded public service announcements and utilized social media as well as my own personal blog and website for Creating Generation Healthy. I also published a children's book, Come and Plant a Garden with Me, to spread awareness and raise funds for my platform.
Reversing childhood obesity is within reach, and I am excited to continue the momentum I started to promote positive change.