Childhood Obesity: Are we doing all we can do? Dr. Sandy Blizzard Tripp

1999 Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2009 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

North Carolina State Overweight17.1%18.1% Obese 25.8% (42.9) 28.0% (46.1) Duplin County Overweight15.0%15.9% Obese22.5% (37.4) (37.4)34.9% (50.8) (50.8) Lenoir County Overweight11.0%16.7% Obese14.8% (25.8) (25.8)25.0% (41.7) (41.7) Location 5 – 11 Years of Age12 – 18 Years of Age NC-NPASS, 2009

Welcome to Obesity Related Disease 101 What do these statistics mean?

Counties in the top and bottom two quintiles of both diabetes and obesity, 2007 MMWR 58: , 2009

Asthma

Heart is muscle and it grows when it works harder … Increased blood pressure and enlarged heart are now diseases of children not just adults!

Child as young as 4 years showing signs of arterial plaque Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, 23, (2010)

Fatty Liver Disease

Blount’s Disease

Obesity Costs Money

The direct medical cost of unhealthy lifestyles* among youth in Lenoir County is over $118,000 annually If trends continue, the current group of inactive and overweight youth in our county will incur medical care and lost productivity costs of over $174 million by the mid-point of their working years (mid-40s) and over $1.6 billion by the time they retire. Lenoir County Youth Be Active NC 2008

 Limit intake of sweetened beverages  Limit television and video time to 1 to 2 hours per day  Encourage 60 minutes daily physical activity  5-6 Servings of fruit and vegetables daily  Provide portions sizes appropriate for age

Schools Can Help

EXERCISE Good, fitness- based exercise, makes our brain ready to learn John Ratey, MD, Harvard Medical School

NC Task Force on Preventing Childhood Obesity, 2009 Suggestions for the NC House of Representatives: State Board of Education required to report to Education Oversight Committee annually regarding the physical education program and Healthy Active Children Policy Received Immediate Priority Ranking from Task Force

Know Your Farmer Child Nutrition Programs

“Let’s Move” - Set a good example Plant a school garden Teach kids about fruit and veggies Teach calorie counting Cafeteria Upgrade: Swap the deep fryer for a salad bar Farms to School Program

New USDA Rule Encourages the Purchase of Local Agricultural Products for Critical Nutrition Assistance Programs 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' USDA News Release: WASHINGTON, April 26, 2011

Who Decides What is on the Plate? School lunches must meet Federal nutrition requirements, but decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities.

School Lunch Menu Lenoir County May 2011

BRIGHT SPOTS Apple sauce Strawberries Peaches Green Beans Broccoli Grapes

In many NC school districts, the philosophy of “What is the right thing to do for children” has been replaced with the administration’s priority of “How much revenue can be generated?”

A la carte

Cookies Chips Debbie cakes Ice cream Fried chicken sandwich

1.Eat Smart Move More 2.Public School Wellness Programs 3.Farms to School 4.Let’s Move 5.Community Obesity Summits Health Care Providers, Elected Officials, Educators, Community Leaders, Parents