The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

ELPS 812Prof. Aust

Percentage of U.S. Children and Adolescents Who are Obese by Sex, Age, Race and Hispanic Origin, 1988-2008

  1988-1994 1999-2000 2001-2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008

Boys, All 11.3 14.8 17.6 18.2 18.2 19.3

Boys, Non-Hispanic white

11.6 11.8 16.6 19.1 15.5 16.7

Boys, Non-Hispanic black

10.7 21.1 16.7 18.4 18.4 19.8

Boys, Mexican American

14.1 27.2 21.8 18.3 25.6 26.8

Girls1, All 9.7 14.8 15.7 16.4 17.3 16.8

Girls1, Non-Hispanic white

8.9 11.0 13.7 15.4 13.5 14.5

Girls1, Non-Hispanic black

16.3 25.2 22.0 25.4 29.8 29.2

Girls1, Mexican American

13.4 19.3 20.3 14.1 25.4 17.4

Source: National Center for Health Statistics

Costa Rica and Childhood ObesityCosta Ricans as a whole rank high in overall

quality of life and rank in the top 1/3 in life expectancy.

However, childhood obesity is a growing concernAccording to a 2009 National Health Survey,

21% of Costa Rican children aged 5-12 are overweight and 9% are obese.

As late as 2000, less than 15% of children 5-12 were considered overweight.

Reasons for growing obesity rates are similar to that of Americans.

Cooper Institute for Aerobics ResearchConducted a study on level of physical fitness

amongst 7th grade children. Results were based on Cooper Institute

standards 19 percent of Black and Latino children

demonstrated a minimum level of fitness 34 percent of Asian children and 32 percent of

White children demonstrated a minimum level of fitness.

Health Effects of Childhood ObesityObesity is a precursor to CVD

Hyperglycemia, hypertension, fatty liver etc. Type 2 diabetes

Higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in minority populations

Sleep disordered breathingSleep apnea

AsthmaOrthopedic problems

Why are Minorities more prone to Obesity?Kaiser Foundation Report

African American and Hispanic households on average watch more television, movies and video games than White households

Unsafe streetsLack of facilitiesFewer supermarketsCost of healthy food Lack of healthy restaurant options

SolutionsGovernment Initiatives

Let’s MoveHealth Reform

Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

National minimum standard for physical educationNCLB has resulted in the narrowing of

curriculum Resulted in less time devoted to physical education

and recess

State standardized physical education curriculum

Solutions Cont.Community Resources

Educate students about YMCA and other community resources that may be available to them at little cost.

Collaborate with classroom teachers- add short activity breaks in the classroom so students can re-focus and re-energize

The Role of Physical EducationPhysical activity is an integral part of a

child’s dayTeachers need to relate to every student and

find out what the students are interested inTeachers need to expose students to a variety

of physical activities that the kids can participate in throughout their entire lives.

Focus should be on life-long physical fitness and health in a safe and fun envirionment

Secondary effects of Physical Activity A 2010 Literature Review by the CDC

suggests the following:Increased physical activity time lead to

increased test scores5-20 minute physical activity classroom breaks

improved student attention span, behavior and achievement test scores

Participation in school sponsored sport teams and physical activity clubs had a positive impact on grade point average and graduation rates.

Sources Alvarado, Karla A. "News." Childhood Obesity Epidemic Growing in Costa Rica / / Top

Story / Current Edition / Costa Rica Paper, The Tico Times. Tico Times, 9 Sept. 2011. Web. 01 May 2012. <http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/Top-Story/News/Childhood-obesity-epidemic-growing-in-Costa-Rica_Friday-September-09-2011>.

"FASTSTATS - Overweight Prevalence." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 10 July 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/overwt.htm>.

"Influence of Race, Ethnicity, and Culture on Childhood Obesity: Implications for Prevention and Treatment." Diabetes Care. Web. 12 July 2011. <http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/31/11/2211.long>.

Kumanyika, Shiriki Kinika, and Sonya Grier. "Targeting Interventions for Ethnic Minority and Low-Income Populations." The Future of Children 16.1 (2006): 187-207. Print.

Let's Move! Web. 10 July 2011. <http://www.letsmove.gov/>. "Minority Children Have Highest Overweight Rate and Lowest Fitness Rate." Journal of

Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 73.2 (2002): 9-11. Print. Siegal, Donald. "Physical Activity, Obesity, and the Academic Achievement Gap in Minority

Children." Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 79.6 (2008): 12. Print.