Treat obesity as an epidemic
During the past 40 years, seemingly overnight, overweight and obesity rates in the United States and other industrialized counties have soared among all age groups.
The problem is of such concern that it has earned “disease of the month” and “epidemic” status: September is officially National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The nature of this epidemic has been so insidious that while it has “happened right before our very eyes,” we see it less and less as larger children seem more and more normal.
According to the Trust for America’s Future, Maine has become the most obese state in New England and is now ranked 27th among the other states. In 2009, Maine ranked 35th. Approximately 60 percent of U.S. adults and 31 percent of children ages 2-19 are at an unhealthy weight.
While obesity has doubled in children, it has tripled in adolescents. Obese young people have an 80 percent chance of being obese adults.
In a recent issue of the journal “Childhood Obesity,” former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher speaks to why this epidemic is occurring, “Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits have spread from adults to children. Changes across our society and environments have conspired to create this unintended problem, and an investment across sectors of society is needed to turn it around.”
Carrying around excess weight has a number of significant consequences that can be psychological, physical and academic. Children of a healthy weight perform better on standardized tests, feel better about themselves and are more able to remain physically active.
Of paramount concern to parents, health care providers and economists, however, are the increased risks of serious chronic illnesses that go hand in hand with unhealthy weight.
One in three children born in 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime if this trend continues. Risk of heart disease, sleep apnea, stroke and some types of cancer will be on the rise.
Obesity-related medical costs are currently 10 percent of all annual medical spending, and people with unhealthy weight have more sick days, more medical claims and poorer quality of life.
Recommendations for actions to combat this epidemic and the associated alarming trends come from a number of organizations, including the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Pediatrics and first lady Michelle Obama’s leading project called Let’s Move.
Here’s a sampling of some of the top suggestions that we, as a community, could implement:
— Schools: Our children eat one to two meals per day, five days a week at school. By focusing on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and cooking from scratch rather then offering salty processed foods, school nutrition programs are doing their part to improve nutrition overall.
Schools also can make a difference by expecting healthy food for celebrations and fundraisers, strengthening health curriculum, developing school gardens, encouraging walking or biking to school, and establishing opportunities for movement throughout the school day. In our area schools, these and other improvements are happening.
— Health care: Pediatricians can use the well-child visit to weigh their patients and discuss what a healthy weight is with parents or caregivers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this regular assessment of weight, and also provides a number of suggestions to help parents make changes at home to support a healthy weight for their children.
Specifically, the academy suggests, among many things, removing the TV and computer from bedrooms, eating breakfast every day, limit eating out, involving the whole family in healthy behavior change and eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages.
— Families: Parents and family members can support their children’s health by ensuring adequate family time for physical activity, encouraging low fat milk and water consumption, and discouraging sugar-sweetened drinks, sending fruit or veggies for snack, getting involved in the establishment of strong school wellness policies, and limiting screen time.
— Others: There are many opportunities for other community members to encourage healthier choices.
Towns can establish neighborhoods where people feel safe to walk, ride bikes and exercise.
Restaurateurs can help by offering healthy choices, small portions, nutrition information about their offerings and reducing the use of salt in their recipes.
Youth recreation leagues can provide healthy snacks for players and at snack bars and in vending machines.
For local and national resources that support physical activity and healthy eating, visit www.accesshealth.org.
Marla H. Davis, MDN, RN, is director for Community Health Improvement at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. She also works with ACCESS Health, the region’s Healthy Maine Partnership, the Sagadahoc County Board of Health, the United Way, YMCA, and other community groups on projects of shared interest. She also has a clinical practice providing tobacco treatment to inpatients and outpatients. She lives in Bath.
