Is there anyone out there who still doubts that America is getting fatter – especially our children? The sixth annual “F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America” report from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation paints a clear and chubby picture.
In 30 states, 30% or more of the children ages 10 to 17 are obese or overweight, meaning they’re heavier than 85 to 95 percent of kids their age. Rates of obese and overweight children ranged from 44.4% in Mississippi to 23.1% in Minnesota and Utah. California ranked 28th with 29.9%.
Among adults, Mississippi again had the highest rates of overweight and obesity, at 32.5%, and Colorado the lowest with 18.9%. California ranked 41 with 23.6%.
The report noted several key findings that could be contributing to the problem. For instance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture school meal program has yet to implement revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans updated in 2005, and many schools fail to enforce state physical education requirements for students. And only eight states include physical activity requirements in their child care center licensing regulations.
And right now, when kids are out of school, they fall victim to the “summer slide,” meaning they’ll gain weight two to three times faster than they would during the school year. Time to round up the family, turn off the T.V., and head out for a little recreation.
