Benton teen to attend White House Conference to compel decision-makers to give children’s health a priority

Little Rock, Arkansas – Bella Crowe, an advocate for the American Heart Association and a native of Benton, will be at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health on September 28 to compel decision-makers to give children’s health a priority.

For the summit, the White House will gather federal lawmakers, state governors, local activists, and a range of other stakeholders.

Bella, 15, is looking to provide an opportunity to look at modernizing our nation’s approach to providing equitable access to nutritious food and physical activity through efforts by the private sector and at all levels of government, according to a news release.

“Too many teens don’t have access to what they need to support their long-term physical health,” said Bella Crowe. “I look forward to bringing my voice to Washington to ensure my peers across the country have access to options that allow them to make healthy food and activity choices that are right for them now so that when they become adults, they will have healthy habits to last a lifetime.”

Bella and other supporters have been pleading with legislators to approve legislation reauthorizing child feeding.

They are working to promote science-based nutrition standards and safeguard children’s access to nutritious school meals.

“Improving diet and increasing physical activity are two of the most important behaviors to optimize our cardiovascular health and well-being,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive of the American Heart Association. “The White House conference presents a historic opportunity to address food scarcity, nutrition insecurity, and insufficient physical activity in ways that can achieve equitable health for all.”

The Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Act, which would extend federal child nutrition programs and make sure that kids have access to the nutritious meals they require, was advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives in July.

The American Heart Association anticipates that the summit at the White House will press Congress and the states for speedy action.