Survey shows extent of childhood obesity

Boys and girls have similar risks of being overweight.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
COLUMBUS -- A statewide study shows that between 20 percent and 26 percent of third-graders in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties are overweight, which is slightly higher than the state average.
The study, "Healthy Youth, Healthy Weights, Healthy Ohioans," conducted by the Ohio Department of Health, shows that about 20 percent of Ohio third-graders are overweight.
Mahoning County topped the local counties with 26.2 percent of third-graders overweight, and about 17 percent at risk of becoming overweight.
The study found that 20.6 percent of Trumbull third-graders are overweight and 20 percent are at risk of becoming overweight.
In Columbiana County, 25 percent of those surveyed are overweight and about 12 percent are at risk of becoming overweight.
Statewide, the report, compiled in 2004-05, found that 17 percent of public school third-graders are at risk of becoming overweight.
Of the 87 counties with data (the study has no statistics for Union County), Butler had the lowest statistics with 25.1 percent of third-graders overweight or at risk. Coshocton had the highest at 50.5 percent.
Health risks
"Overweight children are at greater risk of being overweight or obese adults," said Dr. J. Nick Baird, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
"We must reverse this trend by working together to increase our physical activity, improve our nutrition and decrease our caloric intake," Dr. Baird said.
Health problems associated with overweight and obesity often do not appear until adulthood. They include:
Asthma: Higher risk for asthma and for more severe symptoms.
Bone and joint problems: Damage may result from carrying extra weight on developing skeletons.
Sleep problems: About 17 percent of overweight children have sleep apnea. Overweight children and teens sleep fewer hours than normal-weight children and often experience fatigue.
High blood pressure: Damages the heart, kidneys and blood vessels and can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 diabetes: The rate of children with Type 2 diabetes has steadily increased along with the national increase in overweight.
High cholesterol: Increased body fat is linked to higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Early growth and puberty: Overweight children are often taller and more sexually mature than their peers.
Psychological problems: The most common results of being overweight. Overweight children ware often stigmatized by their peers and bullied.
How study was conducted
To gather statistics for the report, public elementary schools in each Ohio county were randomly chosen to participate in an assessment of body mass index, which compares weight to height, and oral health.
From 387 participating schools, 14,543 children were weighed and measured by trained volunteer local health professionals, resulting in valid BMI estimates for 14,451 pupils, officials said.
The report found that boys and girls had similar risks of being overweight. However, children who were eligible for the free and reduced-price meal program were more likely to be overweight than other children; and children in rural counties were more likely to be overweight than children living in metropolitan or suburban counties.
ODH and Gov. Bob Taft launched the Healthy Ohioans initiative in 2001 to encourage all Ohioans to eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid tobacco use and increase physical activity.
"This survey shows us we still have work to do," Dr. Baird said.