ALABAMA AFHKCharting a Healthier Course for Alabama Students

• A nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school

• Interested parties across the state came together to form AFHK, uniting a variety of organizations – public agencies, community organizations, school personnel, academic institutions, etc.

• Working in Alabama to improve children’s nutrition and increase physical activity, which will in turn improve their readiness to learn

• Take Action for Healthy Kids TODAY! Become a volunteer, tell your story, advocate for Healthy Kids and help us reach all of Alabama KIDS in our schools.

OBESITY

What is Obesity?

• A few extra pounds do not suggest obesity.  However, it may indicate a tendency to gain weight easily and a need for changes in diet and/or exercise. 

• Usually children are classified as obese or overwiehght based on growth charts (>85th = ow and >95th = ob 

• Obesity most commonly begins in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence.  Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

• by CalorieLab, Inc.

• The problem of childhood obesity in the United States is that it has grown considerably in recent years.

• Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. 

• Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to recognize but most difficult to treat. 

• Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.

• by CalorieLab, Inc.

• Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems.

Obesity Prevalence Among Low-Income, Preschool-Aged Children 1998–2010

• One of 7 low-income, preschool-aged children is obese, but the obesity epidemic may be stabilizing. The prevalence of obesity in low-income two to four year-olds increased from 12.4 percent in 1998 to 14.5 percent in 2003 but rose to only 14.6 percent in 2010.

• In 2008, obesity prevalence was highest among American Indian or Alaska Native (21.2 percent) and Hispanic (18.5 percent) children, and lowest among white (12.6 percent), Asian or Pacific Islander (12.3 percent), and black (11.8 percent) children

• Obese children are often referred to as "chubby".

• The best way to determine if your child is suffering from obesity is to call a pediatrician and have him/her diagnose your child.

What is a BMI Percentile?• After BMI is calculated for children and teens, the BMI number is plotted on the CDC BMI-for-

age growth charts (for either girls or boys) to obtain a percentile ranking. Percentiles are the most commonly used indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children in the United States. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child's BMI number among children of the same sex and age. The growth charts show the weight status categories used with children and teens (underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese).

• BMI-for-age weight status categories and the corresponding percentiles are shown below:

• Weight Status Category Percentile Range

– Underweight• Less than the 5th percentile

– Healthy weight• 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile

– Overweight• 85th to less than the 95th percentile

– Obese• Equal to or greater than the 95th percentile

Method to Determine ObesityBODY MASS INDEX

• (weight (lbs) / [height (in)2] x 703)

• BMI Weight Status

• Below 18.5 Underweight• 18.5 – 24.9 Normal• 25.0 – 29.9 Overweight• 30.0 and Above Obese

Approximately 300,000 deaths each year in the United States may be attributable to overweight/obesity

Overweight and obesity are associated with heart disease, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, arthritis, breathing problems, and psychological disorders, such as depression.

FACTS13.5% of our youth are obese and 17.5%

are overweight

. YRBS 2009

16.6% of our youth are at risk

for becoming

overweight!

Montgomery, AL

Ranks # 1 in the 10

Most Obese Metro Areas

No state met the Healthy People 2010

obesity target of 15%

MMWR, August 3,

2010

by CalorieLab, Inc.

Mississippi is the fattest state 5th straight year

• For 2010 Mississippi has claimed the title of fattest state for the fifth consecutive year, while Colorado continues its streak as the leanest. Maine rose the most places in the rankings over last year, while Oregon dropped the most, according to a new analysis by CalorieLab, Inc.

SECOND PLACE IN THE NATION!

• ALABAMA AND TENNESSEE is TIED for the second most fattest states in the NATION! (Fat 2010 Report)

• CDC ranks Alabama as # 7

(Fat 2010 Report)

TOP 10 OBESE METRO AREAS

Our environment doesn't support healthy lifestyle habits; in fact, it encourages obesity. Some reasons

include:

• Oversized food portions. Americans are surrounded by huge food portions in restaurants, fast food places, gas stations, movie theaters, supermarkets, and even home. Some of these meals and snacks can feed two or more people. Eating large portions means too much energy IN. Over time, this will cause weight gain if it isn't balanced with physical activity.

• Food advertising. Americans are surrounded by ads from food companies. Often children are the targets of advertising for high-calorie, high-fat snacks and sugary drinks. The goal of these ads is to sway people to buy these high-calorie foods, and often they do.

• Food Dessert-lack of access to healthy foods. Some people don't live in neighborhoods that have supermarkets that sell healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Or, for some people, these healthy foods are too costly.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTIONS• Help kids stay active.

Children and teens should participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week, preferably daily. Remember that children imitate adults. Start adding physical activity to your own daily routine and encourage your child to join you.

Some examples of moderate intensity physical activity include:

• Brisk walking • Playing tag• Jumping rope • Playing soccer• Swimming• Dancing

*Reduce sedentary timeIn addition to encouraging physical activity, help children avoid too much sedentary time. Although quiet time for reading and homework is fine, limit the time your children watch television, play video games, or surf the web to no more than 2 hours per day.

*Being Physically Active Can Help You Attain or Maintain a Healthy

Weight by CalorieLab, Inc.

Physical activity contributes to weight loss, especially when it is combined with calorie

reduction.

37.8% of Alabama youth watch more than 3 hours of TV/COMPUTER per day!

2009 YRBS

BEATING OBESITY

*In addition to weight control, physical activity helps prevent heart disease*helps control cholesterol levels and diabetes*slows bone loss associated with advancing age* lowers the risk of certain cancers *helps reduce anxiety and depression

Include fruits and vegetables in your daily diet since only 16% of our youth

eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables per day!

Encourage healthy eating habits

There's no great secret to

healthy eating. To help your children and family develop healthy eating habits:

•Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole-grain products. •Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products. •Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils, and beans for protein. •Serve reasonably-sized portions. •Encourage your family to drink lots of water. •Limit sugar-sweetened beverages. •Limit consumption of sugar and saturated fat.Remember that small changes every day can lead to a recipe for success!

Preventive MeasuresWhether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight,

you can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right track.• Schedule yearly well-child visits. Take your child to the doctor for well-child checkups at least once a year.

During this visit, the doctor measures your child's height and weight and calculates his or her BMI.

• Set a good example. Make sure you eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain your weight. Then, invite your child to join you.

• Avoid food-related power struggles with your child. You might unintentionally lay the groundwork for such battles by providing or withholding certain foods — sweets, for instance — as rewards or punishments. As a general rule, don't use food as a reward or punishment.

• Emphasize the positive. Encourage a healthy lifestyle by highlighting the positive — the fun of playing outside or the variety of fresh fruit you can get year-round.

• Be patient. Many overweight children grow into their extra pounds as they get taller.

• For more information please contact:

• Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL • Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Department (334-229-4504)

• Pat Floyd, Ph.D. pfloyd@alasu.edu• Charlie Gibbons, Ed.D. cgibbons@alasu.edu