By introducing the Future Well Kids curriculum into Real Madrid Foundation projects, we'll be

• Teaching children ages 9-12 about healthy habits surrounding nutrition, hydration, sleep and exercise that students will be able to use their entire lives.
• Training coaches and staff to host curriculum modules for students in Campeche and Oaxaca, Mexico and Arlington, Virginia.
• Including provided activity sheets, handouts and logs so students can learn visually and track their daily habits.
• Empowering kids to be their healthiest selves.

By focusing on four critical components of health …

• Healthy eating: How daily food choices impact the body's performance
• Exercise: How different types of exercise build heart health and bone and muscle strength
• Hydration: The essential role of water and hydration, and how to recognize the need for fluids
• Sleep: Why sleep is necessary to recharge and repair the body

… we're working together with Real Madrid Foundation to ensure that kids around the globe are equipped with the knowledge they need to lead their best lives.

Beyond childhood, forming healthy habits in our developmental years helps to shape healthy adults.

"Giving children the best start at life is paramount in helping them achieve their goals," said Kathryn McKenzie, divisional vice president of global citizenship and vice president of the Abbott Fund. "By implementing an engaging curriculum at Real Madrid Foundation's projects to get kids active in and conscious about their day-to-day habits, we can enable the next generation to take charge of their health and inspire others along the way."

With more than half of all children and adolescents in the U.S. not getting enough hydration, poor nutrition being directly linked to risk of noncommunicable diseases later in life, only 1 in 4 teenagers getting enough exercise per day and sleep being shown to impact cardiovascular health, blood pressure and risk for type 2 diabetes — health education has never been more critical.

Kids around the world have the power to make the future brighter. We know that a brighter future starts with better health. 

For more information about the Future Well Kids program and to access virtual lessons for families and teachers click here.

To learn more about how Abbott is partnering with Real Madrid and its foundation to promote nutrition education and drive awareness in the fight against malnutrition, click here.