Childhood Obesity: A Proactive School Response

Project PA Master Instructor Workshop

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

TopicsTrends

Media Attention

Opinions/Reactions

Roles for Schools

Roles for School Foodservice

Resources

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Obesity Trends in the US

An Obesity Epidemic

64% of US Adults are Overweight or Obese

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsObesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1991BRFSS, 1991

(*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” woman)

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 2001;286:10

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

No Data <10% 10%-14% 15-19% > 20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsObesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1995BRFSS, 1995

(*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” woman)

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 2001;286:10

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

No Data <10% 10%-14% 15-19% > 20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsObesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2000BRFSS, 2000

(*BMI 30, or ~ 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” woman)

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 2001;286:10

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

No Data <10% 10%-14% 15-19% > 20%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsObesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2001BRFSS, 2001

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. J Am Med Assoc 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Consequences of Overweight/Obesity

Associated with approximately 300,000 deaths/year in the U. S.

Related to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some types of cancer,and high blood pressure

“this century’s pneumonia”

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Prevalence of overweight among childrenand adolescents ages 6-19 years

Source: CDC/NCHS, NHES, and NHANES

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Effects of Childhood Overweight

Increases chance of being an overweight adult

Early onset of diseaseHigh blood cholesterolHigh blood pressureType II diabetes

Emotional effects

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

“60 Minutes” Video - Childhood Obesity

Reactions?

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Blame

Over-reaction

Responses to Crises Sometimes Include…

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Why Schools?Schools - Reach almost all children

Provide opportunities for healthy eating

Have skilled personnel

Can improve eating behaviors

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Appropriate and Inappropriate Responses to Childhood Obesity

Inappropriate - Target Overweight Youth Only

Appropriate -Target Entire Population

Project PA http://nutrition.psu.edu/projectpa

Components Involved in School-Based Obesity Prevention

Physical Education Program

Classroom Health Education

School Food Service

Nutrition Environment

Parent/Community Involvement