Preventing Obesity Locally

Last year the Institute of Medicine released a report titled Local Government Action to Prevent Childhood Obesity. The report highlighted alarming stats about the obesity pandemic that is taking the nation by force. Within the past three decades the number of obese children and adolescences ranging from age 2-19 is slightly over 16%. Now take the obesity rate and couple it with other morbidity factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes and you have a dismal future for America’s youth.

Still not convinced about the dire situation just yet? Check out these numbers:

· Over the last three decades obesity rates have tripled in children.
· In 2004, more than 9 million children in the nation were overweight.
· In this same year 19% of children ages 6-11 were considered obese, up from 4% in 1971.

The situation looks bleak BUT there is still good news. As constituents you elect local governments to act in your best interest. That includes city officials acting locally to create healthy environments such as city parks where children can play safely, grocery stores where people can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for their families and restaurants that post caloric content on their menus at the point of sales so patron may make healthy food choices.
As we all know, community involvement is vital for success in any initiative but everyone needs to work together to take action.

Three things you can do locally in Houston:

· Take a self pledge to be physically active at least three days this week for 30 minutes. To make it more fun, include the entire family. You could go on a family run or spark up some sibling rivalry by playing a family game of soccer.

· When eating lunch with co-workers asked how many calories are in the entrée you are ordering. As patrons you have a right to now. Don’t be afraid to hold up the line…it’s your turn.

· Ask your local representative to implement local policies that promote health. Take action by clicking on the link to the Houston DINEs Microsite: http://houstondines.org/home.aspx

To read the entire Institute of Medicine report check out the link below:
http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/product.jsp?id=47908