Hello! I am Ryan, a senior at JR Tucker High School in Henrico. I have been a member of Y Street for one year now, and I am excited to further my involvement and commitment as a member of the leadership team! For me, Y Street is not just a movement but a community, constantly reinventing both itself and the communities of Virginia. To be a good citizen and
advocate for public health, I believe it is important never to become complacent, and Y Street is anything but.

Y Street is a youth-led group spanning across Virginia that promotes and supports healthy behavior changes and legislation that will improve Virginians’ overall health. I was introduced to Y Street through a peer of mine, a leader in the movement at the time. Immediately I knew this was something I wanted to be affiliated and involved with. At their very core, Y Street team members strive to make Virginia a better place by leaving their mark, which stuck with me since the very beginning. From providing fruit-flavored water to students during lunch and promoting healthy hydration in schools as part of the Rev Your Bev initiative, to exhibiting at a local fair to promote tobacco-free outdoor spaces for our Share The Air campaign, Y-Sters at my school go above and beyond the call of duty to foster a culture of healthy living and coexistence.

Y Street has broadened my view by drawing my attention to issues I had not given thought to in the past, like making public spaces tobacco-free. From working on Share The Air, I’ve learned about the negative impact of tobacco advertising in low-income communities and the dangers of secondhand smoke. By joining Y Street, I can promise a great deal of personal development will come to pass. For those who are passionate about elevating their community, this organization will provide a means to that end. When it comes to the world we all share, there never is truly an end to progress; a fact Y Street members embrace wholeheartedly. Your voice matters and if you are motivated, Y Street will provide an opportunity to enhance and develop not only your community, but the state of Virginia as a whole.

Hey! My name is Riya and I am a senior at Fauquier High School in Warrenton. This is my second year in Y Street and my first year on the Y Street Leadership Team.

Fast food has consumed our lives as being an easy and affordable way to eat. It can be found almost everywhere with numerous options available. Although fast food can be delicious and cost-effective, it has affected our country detrimentally. High in calories, fat, salt, and sugar, consuming excessive fast food can lead to obesity and other health issues. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 78 million obese people in the United States. 1 Therefore, obesity in America is a major health issue affecting people of all ages and incomes.

Obesity prevention is important because it can reduce health problems caused by obesity and ensure everyone gets a chance to live a healthy lifestyle. Why wait until it’s too late to act when we can start today?

Youth are at most risk, as data from the CDC shows that in 2015-2016 nearly 1 in 5 school-age children and young people aged 6 to 19 years in the United States have obesity. 2 This is partly due to youth’s lack of awareness. Some are not aware of the importance of eating healthy and exercising or drinking water, all of which can help them maintain a healthy weight. I want to help youth lead a healthier lifestyle because I was once an overweight child, clueless about the importance of good nutrition. My parents would let me eat whatever I wanted, until one day I looked at myself and realized I had to change my eating habits because no one will do that for me.

Youth activism is important in addressing the issue of obesity because we as youth have a greater influence among our own generation. Young people will listen and relate more to people similar to their age than adults. Y Street and its campaigns spread awareness on issues such as obesity by educating youth in fun and engaging ways. Virginians have been inspired by what Y Street has to say through our interactive activities in schools and at events around the community. You don’t want to be behind the scenes waiting for the change to happen, be a part of the action making it happen. To learn more about Y Street and its incredible purpose, visit ystreet.org or follow Y Street on social media.

1 Secretary, HHS Office of the. “Facts & Statistics.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 26 Jan. 2017,
www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and statistics/index.html#:~:text=Obesity,children%20and%20adolescents%20are%20obese.&text=Recent%20reports%20project%20that%20by, United%20States%20will%20be%20obese.
2 “Childhood Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 June 2019,
www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html.