AmericanWaistland
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the problem:
The purpose of AmericanWaistland is to give young people a voice in policies which affect their physical health and fitness.
Currently 15% of kids in America are obese.
10% of teenage girls have an eating disorder.
The solution to these epidemics are simple: make young people hold their elected officials (the people who make policy) accountable to their well being.
How you can help:
American Waistland acts as a tool for young people to ask questions of their politicians about health topics relating to body image.
For example, last year’s bake sale ban, which is yet to be resolved, students would ask questions directly to us and we would serve as the ombudsman between students and the elected.
The project focus is on young people because the population most directly impacted by these epidemics need to be involved in the decision-making process, not just relegated to decisions made by elected officials.
vital stats:
people impacted:
50,000people involved:
5why it's important:
This issue is important to me because according to the Department of Education's "Fitness Gram" I am obese. It's not an issue I take lightly; I am fully invested in this issue. The only way to cap this epidemic that has captured 12% of America's young people is to be an insider. You must be someone who elected officials, and educators know and being a young person is a must. Kids talk to kids differently than they talk to adults, but when you have a connection to all three groups change is inevitable.
the plan of action:
The plan is to leverage my 5 years of experience as a local and national reporter for the New York Daily News, Scripps Howard News Service and as White House Correspondent for Teen Kids News, and as a education commissioner in Washington.
BIG is a project that will use the power of news, social media, and policy to fight obesity in 4 years.
In July, with funding we'll be in DC interviewing First Lady Michelle Obama, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, various Congresspeople and Senators, who all are involved in the policy decisions involving health and obesity.
In mid July, we'll be speaking with NYS First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson and Tom Farley about the issues specific to New York.
In late July, we'll speak with Mayor Bloomberg, Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, and various NGO's about developing solutions to fighting obesity.
In August, we're hosting a conference in New York and in Washington to develop a discussion on the best ways to implement new policy in schools and community centers and find answers to some of the inequities obese people face.
In late August-September, we'll be working to change laws in New York to change standards in schools.
End of 2010-June 2011- Working with law makers, NGO's to measure how well the project has worked and see how the project hasn't.
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Comments
The Youth to American Wasteland!
My name is Cory Ley and I would really like to network, help expand your idea and to give you some insight about our "Vision" for our company. My cousin and I started a company called The Youth LLC and we ARE going to impact 19,000+ Youth in Central Minnesota, plus thousands nationally and internationally with FB, dosomething.org, Cafepress and our upcoming Youth Forum/Blog. "From BMX, Skateboarding, Inline, Music, to Art, Leadership and Entrepreneurship." Check us out on YouTube/Vimeo/Facebook and VOTE for The Youth @ PepsiRefresh.com in Dec! Click here to check out the Youth!
With much thanks and gratitude,
C. Ley
Youth LLC