A CALL TO ACTION
Our nation is in the midst of a health crisis. In July of 2003, the Surgeon General of the United States, Richard Carmona, addressed a Congressional Committee about the status of our nation's health and said the following, "As Surgeon General, I welcome this chance to talk with you about a health crisis affecting every state, every city, every community, and every school across our great nation. The crisis is obesity. It's the fastest-growing cause of disease and death in America. And it's completely preventable."
In his speech, Surgeon General Carmona cited three areas that must be addressed in order to improve our children's health:
- Increased physical activity
- Healthier eating habits
- Improved health literacy
RESPONDING TO THE CALL
Zest Quest®, a not-for-profit children's health initiative, effectively addresses the three areas of need cited by Surgeon General Carmona. The mission of Zest Quest is to educate and provide incentive for children and their families to live healthier lives, and the program seeks to create an enjoyable environment that inspires children to lead physically, emotionally, and intellectually healthier lives. Through interactive, curriculum-based educational and mentorship programs, children will learn valuable tools and healthy habits to prevent future health problems.
In addition to securing data for scientific purposes, the Zest Quest program encourages students by rewarding prizes for those who adopt healthy habits taught through the Zest Quest curriculum. The grand prize is a day camp experience.