BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Gloria MolinaFirst District

Yvonne Brathwaite BurkeSecond District Zev YaroslavskyThird District Don KnabeFourth District Michael D. AntonovichFifth District

  

Los Angeles County Blue Ribbon Task Force

“Children and Youth Physical Fitness”

Paving the Way for Physically

Fit and Healthy Children

History and Purpose of History and Purpose of Task ForceTask Force

January 29, 2002 - The Board of Supervisors established the LA County Task Force

The Task Force charge – Hold hearings – Research the status of physical fitness – Report recommendations to the Board to

improve children’s fitness.

Obesity* Trends Among U.S. Adults Obesity* Trends Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991, 1995 and 2000BRFSS, 1991, 1995 and 2000

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

1991 1995

2000

Source: Mokdad A H, et al. JAMA 1999;282:16, 2001;286:10.

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

L.A. County YouthL.A. County Youth9-129-12thth Graders Graders

12.4% overweight– 10.5% U.S.

16.5% at risk for becoming overweight – 13.6% U.S.

Source:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System: 2001 Results.

Prevalence of Overweight* Among Prevalence of Overweight* Among Children (2-17 years old) Receiving a CHDP Exam, Children (2-17 years old) Receiving a CHDP Exam,

Los Angeles County, March 2000 (n = 35,978)Los Angeles County, March 2000 (n = 35,978)

No. overweight Prevalence (%)

Age groups (yrs)

2 - 4 2,038 14.9 5 -11 3,189 20.8 12-17 1,379 19.6

Race / Ethnicity

White 120 14.9 Latino 5,799 19.2 Black 321 12.5 Asian 127 14.7

Total 6,367 18.5

* 95th percentile for age- and sex- specific BMI

Prevalence of Overweight* Prevalence of Overweight* California Physical Fitness Testing, 2001California Physical Fitness Testing, 2001

17.618.918.0

20.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

California Overall LAC

Population

Pre

vale

nce

(%

)

At Risk

Overweight

*Public school children, grades 5, 7, and 9, using standardized

body mass index-for-age growth charts by CDC

Risk Behaviors Related to Diet and Risk Behaviors Related to Diet and Physical ActivityPhysical Activity

Los Angeles

2001

United States

2001

Percentage of students who described themselves as slightly or very overweight.

31.4% 29.2%

Percentage of students who were trying to lose weight 49.7% 46.0%

Percentage of students who ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day during the past seven days.

21.6% 21.4%

Percentage of students who attended physical education class daily.

25.1% 32.2%

Percentage of students who watched three or more hours of TV per day on an average school day.

44.6% 38.3%

Comorbidities of ObesityComorbidities of Obesity Asthma Cancer Hypertension – ten times the rate in obese Hyperinsulinism – Syndrome X Type 2 Diabetes Dyslipidemias Orthopedic Abnormalities Sleep Apnea – 1/3 have it and it impairs learning Gall Bladder Problems – 1/3 from obesity Hyperandrogenism Eating Disorders, Depression, Psychological Disorders

The CostThe Cost

300,000 deaths/year (second to tobacco)

$117 billion/year $61 billion in direct costs, including

healthcare

$56 billion in indirect costs, including lost of productivity and earning lost

Task Force ResponseTask Force Response

Four workgroups were established– Individuals and families– Communities– Schools– Health care

Community Forum was held to obtain public input

Extensive Literature review

Contributing Factors Contributing Factors

Individuals and FamiliesCommunitiesSchoolsHealthcareFood Industry

Task Force Task Force RecommendationsRecommendations

Overarching Strategies– Policy– Programs and Initiatives– Research and Evaluation – Public Awareness Campaigns

Formation of RecommendationsFormation of Recommendations

4 settings/ under overarching themes:– Community (includes individuals and

families) - 31 action steps– Schools – 10 action steps– Healthcare – 8 action steps– Worksite – 4 action steps

53 total recommendations/ specific action steps to be taken within the 4 settings

6 Key Recommendations6 Key Recommendations

Secure funding for programs, research, public awareness and policies

Promote joint use facilities with schools, parks, libraries, health clinics, community organizations

6 Key Recommendations6 Key Recommendations

Support passage of legislation to increase Physical Education, Physical Education training, decrease class size, increase equipment

Schools adopt SB 19 nutritional standards for items outside federal meal program with <35% of calories from fat, <35% sugar,and only milk, water and juice >50% fruit juice sold

6 Key Recommendations6 Key Recommendations

Implement a model comprehensive worksite wellness program

Appoint accountable County department personnel to work in collaboration with community-based committees and agencies to develop an implementation plan of the recommendations and to monitor the plan’s progress.

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

A comprehensive approach is required to combat physical inactivity and unhealthy eating

Recommendations must be meaningful and achievable on a multitude of levels

Recommendations need to include a means for accountability

Barriers to ImplementationBarriers to Implementation

Finding funding for program development

Convincing individuals who are not interested in physical activity or healthy eating that the consequences necessitate change requiring their interest

For Your Copy of the ReportFor Your Copy of the Report

For persons interested in a copy of the full report detailing the Task Forces’ findings and recommendations, download the report from:

www.lapublichealth.org/mch

Paving the Way for Physically Fit and Healthy Children: Findings and Recommendations

To Contact the Presenters:To Contact the Presenters:

Cynthia Harding: charding @dhs.co.la.ca.us

Valerie Ruelas: vruelas@dhs.co.la.ca.us

Tel: (213) 639-6400 Fax: (213) 639-1033

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Programs

Los Angeles County - Department of Health Services

600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 800

Los Angeles, CA 90005