Home Depot Partners with LHTYF, Inc. to Tackle Childhood Obesity in the Atlanta Area

ATLANTA - Sept. 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Today, Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation (LHTYF) announced plans to donate a garden to Chapel Hill Elementary School in Decatur, Georgia on Friday, September 25. The project is sponsored by Home Depot and marks the 5^th year of the Gardens are for Kids™ program produced by LHTYF. The program is designed to educate and empower children to make healthier food choices, avoid unhealthy foods and learn the principles of agriculture and gardening.

This month marks the 5th year anniversary that President Obama announced September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Because of this national initiative, LHTYF has made a commitment to bring awareness to local Atlanta area schools in need of fresh fruits and vegetables. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, one in 3 children in the United States is overweight or obese. Childhood obesity puts kids at risk for health problems that were once seen only in adults, like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in August, 2013 showed that 18 states, including Georgia, and one U.S. territory experienced a decline in obesity rates among 2 to 4-year-olds from low-income families between 2008 and 2011. However, the state of Georgia currently ranks 17^th in the U.S. with a 16.5% obesity rate among children 10-17 years old according to the State of Obesity organization. These statistics indicate there is still work to be done.

“Our local communities must work together to create opportunities for children to learn how to grow healthy foods so they develop healthier habits that will last a lifetime. We are so proud of our partnership with Home Depot for the Gardens are for Kids program, their support makes all the difference” said Lori A. Manns, President of Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc.

For more information about the Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, please visit: www.livehealthyandthriveyouth.org. Media interested in covering this event should contact 800-551-3775.

About Chapel Hill Elementary School

Chapel Hill Elementary School was opened in 1967 and is located in south DeKalb County, GA outside of Atlanta.   Chapel Hill Elementary School currently serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. In addition to the core content subject areas, Chapel Hill Elementary offers physical education, health, art, and music courses for all students.  The mission of Chapel Hill Elementary School is to ensure the intellectual and social success of all students through standards-based instruction and collaboration of all stakeholders to promote life-long learners.

About Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc.

Live Healthy & Thrive Youth Foundation, Inc., (LHTYF) was established in 2010 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to children's health.  The mission of LHTYF is to educate, activate, motivate and empower youth in the areas of academic achievement, fitness, nutrition and total wellness. LHTYF aims to educate and empower youth to learn healthy and sustainable lifestyle habits so they avoid obesity, diabetes and hypertension. To learn more about LHTYF or make a secure donation, visit www.livehealthyandthriveyouth.org