Northwest Arkansas is currently the healthiest economic region in the state but is still considered behind nationally.

• A lack of security: Educators and policy makers met last week to discuss the nutritional and wellness challenges facing children in the region. According to UAMS' research, over one-eighth of children born in NWA are born into poverty, and 20% of children in Arkansas are considered obese.
• Planting the seeds: The summit focused on three issues: reducing child obesity, increasing education about mental health, and the risks associated with e-cigarettes and vaping. The notes taken here will be applied to an action plan presented at the NWA Health Summit this October.

You can find out more about the nutritional and wellness challenges that children in NWA are facing HERE.