Health

Sports have been a tool of public health in our country for more than a century. As such, sports – particularly youth sports – hold the potential to contribute so much to society as a vehicle to drive outcomes that matter, such as health and well-being. But today, many children miss out for various reasons, including the following: lack of safe neighborhood recreation spaces, rising costs, and exclusionary policies, excessive time demands on families, and cultural norms. The effect of these barres is not just detrimental to the children missing out on sports opportunities, but all of us. Studies indicated that as many as 1 out of 3 children and teens are overweight or obese. Lack of physical activity contributes to this circumstance, and inactive children often become inactive adults.