Healthy LifeStars is honored to announce our 2021 Champion for the 7th Annual StepUp4Kids Celebration, Dr. Melanie Russell.

Dr. Russell received her Doctorate of Medicine from the Ohio State University and is now completing her medical residency at the University of Cincinnati in the Department of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Russell will take us on a journey that showcases the alarming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s impact on our youth’s health. The pandemic led to school closures, disrupted routines, increased stress, and less opportunity for physical activity and proper nutrition, leading to weight gain among children and adolescents.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said children and teenagers in the United States saw their body mass index (BMI) increase at almost double the normal rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency’s research was based on a review of the medical records of around 432,000 kids and teens.

Now more than ever we must demand better for our children. Healthy LifeStars efforts are critical to helping combat obesity, the #1 health problem facing or kids today and one of the critical comorbidities of COVID!   Midst COVID, the organization moved forward rapidly to expand their offerings so they can be delivered virtually. These offerings are critical to helping maintain the health and safety of our kids and families and supporters.

Join us, November 3rd and together we will STEP up for our own health and inspire our children to do the same.

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