about the campaign

In October 2007, more than 125 leaders throughout Delaware led by Governor Ruth Ann Minner, came together to support a multi-year, statewide campaign to Make Delaware’s Kids the Healthiest in the Nation. 

This Campaign encourages and celebrates the efforts of schools, child care centers, communities, health professionals, parents, and other leaders to improve the motivation, opportunity, and ability for children to eat healthy and be more physically active.

Why Join the Campaign? 

Childhood obesity is a national epidemic. The Campaign to Make Delaware's Kids the Healthiest in the Nation was launched to prevent the rising rates of childhood obesity in Delaware.

Consider these facts:

• The percentage of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has more than doubled over the past 20 years, from 7% in 1980 to 18.8% in 2004. Among teens, obesity has more than tripled over the past 20 years, from 5% to 17.1%.
• Obese children, especially teens, are more likely to remain obese as adults
• Being overweight can lead to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure
• Being overweight can have social and emotional effects.
• Emerging evidence shows a strong link between a student's health--which is closely tied to nutrition and physical activity--and his or her ability to achieve academically.
• Parents can, to a large degree, influence their children’s eating and physical activity habits
• This epidemic has a significant impact on Delaware’s economy, currently costing the state approximately $207 million in medical expenditures every year.

The committed efforts of the collective whole can reverse the trend of childhood obesity in Delaware. Become a Campaigner!