The Alliance for a Healthier Generation issued the following press release about a Georgian who has been selected to serve on its Youth Advisory Board. Congratulations to Tyler Tucker!
Fitzgerald 15-Year-Old Making a Difference in Childhood Obesity Fight
Alliance for a Healthier Generation selects Tyler Tucker to serve on its Youth Advisory Board
(NEW YORK) July 23, 2014 – The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has selected Tyler Tucker, 15, of Fitzgerald, GA to serve as a Youth Ambassador on its 2014-2015 Youth Advisory Board. Tyler, a sophomore at Fitzgerald High School, was chosen based on his commitment to health and wellness in the Fitzgerald community, helping to reverse the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, is one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations working to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and empowering kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits.
The Alliance’s Youth Advisory Board distinguishes itself as one of the only youth-led advisory groups in the country focused on the issue of childhood obesity. Youth Ambassadors serve as thought-leaders to both the Alliance and external stakeholders, offering valuable perspectives on childhood obesity through internal conversations and major public speaking engagements across America. In addition to their role as thought-leaders and public speakers, Youth Ambassadors develop a campaign to organize and activate their communities to support policies and programs to promote kids’ health and wellness.
15-year-old Tyler’s greatest accomplishment in creating a healthier generation so far has been his participation in Health Rocks!®, a national curriculum that educates children aged 8 to 14 on the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use through 4-H. Tyler has also given speeches on the importance of staying healthy and fit and has led physical fitness classes and summer day camps. Through his service to the state of Georgia and Fitzgerald community Tyler has learned the power of positive peer pressure in creating a healthier generation.
“Youth represent their generation and can influence health in their community, state, and country,” Tyler says. “If we show that we want to choose to live healthier lives, so will others, more people will join, and it will create a huge domino effect.”
Dr. Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, emphasizes the important role of the Youth Advisory Board. “The Alliance believes that young people must have a seat at the table with adults to address the childhood obesity epidemic. Our Youth Ambassadors are inspiring communities across the country to build healthier environments for their generation and many generations to come.”
The fight against obesity requires contributions from kids, parents, schools, teachers, and communities. Visit HealthierGeneration.org to learn about the work of the Alliance’s Youth Advisory Board and discover what you can do to inspire kids to live healthier and reverse the childhood obesity epidemic.
About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation, empowers kids to develop lifelong, healthy habits. The Alliance works with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to build healthier environments for millions of children. To learn more and join the movement, visit HealthierGeneration.org.