UC Cooperative Extension | Agricultural Experiment Station

New 4-H director to youth: ‘You are worthy and you are valuable’

Seen here sharing a moment with the 2023-24 4-H State Ambassador team at the State Leadership Conference, Holmes aims to ensure every young person across California has access to 4-H programs. Photo courtesy of California 4-H

Holmes brings a lifetime of service, mentorship to California 4-H program Growing up in rural Alabama, Kimberly Sinclair Holmes – the new statewide director of California 4-H – experienced firsthand the enduring value of youth development...

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Today's children are expected to live shorter lifespans than their parents and childhood obesity is one contributing factor. The lifetime cost of obesity is estimated at $19,000 per child. Sugar- sweetened beverages (SSBs), fast foods, and screen time are factors related to unhealthy weight. Forty- two percent of Alameda and Contra Costa children are overweight or obese, 31% drank one or more SSB daily, and 24% ate fast food two or more times during the past week. Food companies spent $1.7 billion marketing unhealthy food to children and only $280 million marketing healthy foods. Children are exposed to food marketing through screen time, including TV, mobile devices, and computers. Educating parents about the benefits of serving their children healthy foods and beverages, reducing screen time, and encouraging family physical activity can contribute to better health outcomes and reduced health care costs.

Read about: UCCE educators empower parents to limit children’s screen time | View Other Stories

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