If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Arkansas School Children at Obesity Risk
http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.p...st_item&id=214
James Jefferson, "Arkansas School Children at Obesity Risk", Miami Herald, September 8, 2004, Link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...th/9609501.htm A broader analysis of the body mass index numbers for Arkansas school children shows a growing number of students statewide are overweight or at risk of obesity, official said Tuesday. "We are in the middle of an epidemic. That epidemic threatens the health of our children and risks tearing the fabric of our communities,' said Dr. Joe Thompson, director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. The center, which released results of the state's first BMI reports to parents in June, released a new study of obesity in children showing results at the school and school district level showing a statewide problem that transcends age, gender, economic and ethnic lines. Among the findings: _Thirty-eight percent of Arkansas public school students are overweight or at risk of being overweight. _Forty-two percent of sixth-grade children are in one of the two high-risk categories. _Thirty-nine percent of males and 37 percent of females are considered overweight or at risk of being too heavy. _Forty-nine percent of Hispanic males and 44 percent of black females were identified in one of the to high-risk categories. _In more than 40 percent of school districts assessed, more than 40 percent of students were overweight or at risk of being overweight. "Many of our children and adolescents are developing health conditions now relating to childhood obesity which will claim their lives as adults and rob our communities and families of a health and productive citizen," Thompson said. Gov. Mike Huckabee, who joined ACHI officials in releasing the report at Indian Hills Elementary, said an additional six community health education specialists would be assigned to posts across the state to assist advisory committees being formed at schools to develop and implement local policies that encourage healthy activities. The advisory committees were mandated by Act 1220 of 2003, which also required public schools to conduct an annual BMI screening of all students. Thompson said 1,058 of 1,135 public schools in the state - 94 percent - reported results by July 9, and officials assessed valid individual data forms for 345,892 students. Among actions taken to date, officials have banned use of vending machines at elementary schools during school hours. Huckabee, who has lost 105 pounds in a year after a diabetes diagnosis, restated his opposition to such ban at high schools without scientific evidence of its effect. "We may need to do it, but we need to do it based on some good data to determine what will actually improve the health of children. It could putting healthier snacks in those machines. It could be getting rid of them altogether," the governor said Tuesday. He said his position was not based on the income high schools receive from vending machines, although he acknowledged that could be a factor for superintendents. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Ignoramus13725" wrote in message
... In article , Roman Bystrianyk wrote: _Thirty-eight percent of Arkansas public school students are overweight or at risk of being overweight. WTF is "at risk of becoming overweight"? Well, being overweight is being at risk of becoming obese. So, I guess being normal is a risk of becoming overweight. Or they are just starting to subdivize. BMI 22 = low risk, BMI 22-25 = risk. But pushing two unrelated populations (already there and at risk) certainly looks like someone trying to force a point, even if facts don't fit that well. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Ignoramus13725" wrote in message
... In article , Roman Bystrianyk wrote: _Thirty-eight percent of Arkansas public school students are overweight or at risk of being overweight. WTF is "at risk of becoming overweight"? Well, being overweight is being at risk of becoming obese. So, I guess being normal is a risk of becoming overweight. Or they are just starting to subdivize. BMI 22 = low risk, BMI 22-25 = risk. But pushing two unrelated populations (already there and at risk) certainly looks like someone trying to force a point, even if facts don't fit that well. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Three cheers to the state of Arkansas for its efforts to curtail the
epidemic of overweight children. As the Arkansas data points out, a steadily increasing number of children in the U.S. are sinking into the chasm of overweight and obesity. Although our nation has declared war on terrorism, we have failed to mount an organized defense against the epidemic which is exacting an even heavier toll on our nation's youth. The only way to cure the epidemic of overweight and sedentary children is for all concerned adults--including parents, grandparents, educators, and caregivers--to take responsibility for helping children develop a lifestyle of physical fitness and good nutrition. While this will require some changes at school, it will also demand significant action at home and in the community. Doing any less simply subjects our children to the high probability of disease, disability, or premature death. Todd Hollander Author of "We're Killing Our Kids" available at www.worthypress.com (Roman Bystrianyk) wrote in message . com... http://www.healthsentinel.com/news.p...st_item&id=214 James Jefferson, "Arkansas School Children at Obesity Risk", Miami Herald, September 8, 2004, Link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...th/9609501.htm A broader analysis of the body mass index numbers for Arkansas school children shows a growing number of students statewide are overweight or at risk of obesity, official said Tuesday. "We are in the middle of an epidemic. That epidemic threatens the health of our children and risks tearing the fabric of our communities,' said Dr. Joe Thompson, director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. The center, which released results of the state's first BMI reports to parents in June, released a new study of obesity in children showing results at the school and school district level showing a statewide problem that transcends age, gender, economic and ethnic lines. Among the findings: _Thirty-eight percent of Arkansas public school students are overweight or at risk of being overweight. _Forty-two percent of sixth-grade children are in one of the two high-risk categories. _Thirty-nine percent of males and 37 percent of females are considered overweight or at risk of being too heavy. _Forty-nine percent of Hispanic males and 44 percent of black females were identified in one of the to high-risk categories. _In more than 40 percent of school districts assessed, more than 40 percent of students were overweight or at risk of being overweight. "Many of our children and adolescents are developing health conditions now relating to childhood obesity which will claim their lives as adults and rob our communities and families of a health and productive citizen," Thompson said. Gov. Mike Huckabee, who joined ACHI officials in releasing the report at Indian Hills Elementary, said an additional six community health education specialists would be assigned to posts across the state to assist advisory committees being formed at schools to develop and implement local policies that encourage healthy activities. The advisory committees were mandated by Act 1220 of 2003, which also required public schools to conduct an annual BMI screening of all students. Thompson said 1,058 of 1,135 public schools in the state - 94 percent - reported results by July 9, and officials assessed valid individual data forms for 345,892 students. Among actions taken to date, officials have banned use of vending machines at elementary schools during school hours. Huckabee, who has lost 105 pounds in a year after a diabetes diagnosis, restated his opposition to such ban at high schools without scientific evidence of its effect. "We may need to do it, but we need to do it based on some good data to determine what will actually improve the health of children. It could putting healthier snacks in those machines. It could be getting rid of them altogether," the governor said Tuesday. He said his position was not based on the income high schools receive from vending machines, although he acknowledged that could be a factor for superintendents. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
U.S. obesity epidemic prompts changes in public policy, industries | Trinity | General Discussion | 7 | April 23rd, 2004 12:30 AM |
U.S. obesity epidemic prompts changes in public policy, industries | Trinity | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 8 | April 23rd, 2004 12:30 AM |
Obesity Trends and Genes | Leslie DiMaggio | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 3 | March 29th, 2004 02:06 PM |
Obesity Trends and Genes | Leslie DiMaggio | Weightwatchers | 5 | March 29th, 2004 02:06 PM |
On "Weighing Obesity" | Steve Chaney, aka Papa Gunnykins ® | Low Carbohydrate Diets | 2 | September 24th, 2003 03:13 AM |