Childhood Obesity Causes and Solutions

CHILDHOOD OBESITY CAUSES & SOLUTIONS WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE OBESE? Kids who are in the 85th to 94th percentile for body mass index (BMI) are considered overweight. OVERWEIGHT Kids who are in the 95th percentile or higher for body mass index (BMI) are considered obese. OBESE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE 1/3 of obese preschool children will become obese adults 1/2 of obese school-aged children will become obese adults WHAT INFLUENCES CHILDHOOD OBESITY? SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS FACTORS o Less access to healthy foods o Less access to physical recreation O Inadequate health education in schools Socioeconomic Status Income plays a large role when it comes to childhood obesity. În 2002, it was found that 27% of kids aged 10-17 were overweight or obese, while 42% of kids in low income households were overweight or obese. Race | Low Income (42%) Mid Income (30%) IHigh Income (27%) Closely related to income is ethnicity. In 2002, 28.2% of white kids age 6-19 were overweight or obese, while 35.4% of black kids and 39.9% of Hispanic kids in the same age range were overweight or obese. IWhite (27%) Black (34%) I Hispanic (39%) ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS 31% of White Americans live in a tract with a supermarket 8% of African Americans live in a tract with a supermarket 20% In twenty percent of rural counties, every resident lives more than 10 miles from a supermarket. Low-income zip codes have thirty percent more convenience stores than higher- income zip codes nationwide. Eighty percent of non- white residents in 30% 80% Albany, New York can't find high-fiber bread or low-fat milk in their neighborhoods. Over seventy percent of households eligible for food stamps have to travel over 30 miles to reach a supermarket in Mississippi. Forty-six percent of lower- income neighborhoods in Baltimore have limited access to healthy food. 70% 46% WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? Urban & community gardens help create access to healthy foods. There are many organizations, such as Truly Living Well in Atlanta, that help neighborhoods get started. Petition existing corner store owners to start providing healthier food choices and work with them to make it possible, like the FRESH program in New York City. ACCESS TO PHYSICAL RECREATION 70-80% of minority neighborhoods don't have an indoor recreational facility, while only 38% of white neighborhoods are without one. Neighborhood walkability is associated with lower BMI's, but residents in low-income neighborhoods report being deterred from exercise by perceived high neighborhood crime and a lack of sidewalks, walking paths, and bike trails. Kids in low-income neighborhoods don't have nearly the access to parks as kids in wealthier neighborhoods do. Plus, parks in low- income neighborhoods tend to be less safe, with less opportunities for play. 99% of these indoor recreational facilities require a fee for use. People in high-income areas have 50% more access to sports areas, parks and green spaces, and bike paths than people in low-income areas. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? Increase access to bike paths and walking trails. Minneapolis increased its percentage of bicyclists by 47% after expanding it's on-street bikeway network by 75%. Outdoor gyms are a free, easily accessible exercise option. In San Antonio, 58% of people surveyed after outdoor gym installation said their time spent at parks increased. İNADEQUATE HEALTH EDUCATION $$ Over 40% of schools receiving Title I funding to serve low-income students receive less state and local funding than other schools that don't receive Title I funding, making them more strapped for resources. Low income schools are less likely to have a trained physical education teacher on staff than high income schools, and students in low income schools receive 25 fewer minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week. P.E. Only 41.2% of school districts nationwide have allotted time for health education at the elementary school level, and only 39.1% of school districts have a policy to have a trained health education teacher on staff. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT? Farm-to-school programs (a collaboration between schools and local agriculture) have shown an increase in meal participation rates, better nutrition, and increased interest in nutrition from students. Organizations like Stand Up Kids are working to transform schools across the country with standing desks, promoting child health and activity, as well as boosting focus and test scores. CHILDHOOD OBESITY RATES AMONG STATES (2011) Percentage of kids (aged 10-17) in each state who are in the 95th percentile or above for body mass index. < 10% 10-15% 15-20% >20% Sources: The Food Trust People for Bikes Bristol-Myers Squibb National Conference of State Legislatures Truly Living Well Columbus Health Department Parks & Recreation U.S. Department of Education Center for Advancing Health NYC FRESH Program Center for Disease Control Stand Up Kids Center for Human Nutrition Brought to you by: Oreboundersrock.com by storestream