Child obesity rates slow; early interventions stressed
Published: April 1, 2012
A new analysis of data from the Fitnessgram physical fitness tests given to California students in grades 5, 7 and 9 each spring shows the obesity rate is slowing compared to earlier decades. Previous studies showed obesity increasing at rates of 0.8 percent to 1.7 percent per year, but a new study from the University of California, Davis, shows that obesity increased by little more than 0.3 percent per year between 2003 and 2008.
“For the first time, we have reached a critical turning point in our battle against the silent epidemic of childhood obesity,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said of the results.
Concerned about the growing numbers of obese children and the increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the California Department of Education convened a task force in 2004 to see what schools could do to increase the time students spend in physical activity and to promote healthful eating. As a result, physical activity standards for students were strengthened and restrictions were set on fat- and sugar-laden foods served at schools.
While the study of Fitnessgram results indicated the obesity epidemic has slowed, the researchers noted one troubling statistic.
“Children who were obese entering the fifth grade remained obese in subsequent years as well, despite improvements in school nutrition and fitness standards,” said William Bommer, a UC Davis professor and senior author of the study. “And we suspect that this trend begins before kindergarten.” Researchers concluded that greater efforts must be directed at reducing the obesity epidemic in preschool and early grades.
To help governance teams establish effective policies for promoting student wellness, CSBA’s Student Wellness Web page has several practical resources for bringing about healthful changes in their students’ lives. They include “Student Wellness: A Healthy Food and Physical Activity Policy Resource Guide,” with a step-by-step approach to enhance the school environment so students can develop and practice healthy eating habits, and “Building Healthy Communities: A School Leader’s Guide to Collaboration and Community Engagement,” with suggestions to help governance teams develop collaborations to bring about healthful changes in their students’ lives.
“Efforts are under way to revise our resources and to work with governance teams as they understand, develop and monitor the implementation of school wellness policies,” said Martin Gonzalez, CSBA’s assistant executive director for member services. Future wellness work will be assisted by a grant CSBA recently received from The California Endowment, a private health foundation that focuses on building healthy communities.
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