Fat but not so happy: Southern counties lead U.S. obesity rates
I wish we could put health-oriented programs like Girls on the Run at every school.
Interesting story in the AJC today on the counties in the U.S. with the greatest obesity problems. It will be no surprise to anyone who has ever attended a county fair in rural areas to learn that the South tops the list.
The story states:
ATLANTA — The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia. High rates of obesity and diabetes were reported in more than 80 percent of counties in the Appalachian region that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to the new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The same problem was seen in about 75 percent of counties in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina.
I know that schools are called upon to solve all of society’s problems, but I think obesity is becoming such a large problem – excuse the unintended pun – that it can’t be ignored.
I think schools ought to partner with recreation and active living programs to launch elementary school running programs and fitness camps. My 10-year-old daughter attends a terrific track program after school called Girls on the Run, which takes place at a local public school but charges a fee. I would love to see programs like that for all kids based at every school.
Again, I don’t think we should ask school staffs to embrace this challenge but we certainly ought to use school facilities. I know there are costs, but it will be considerably less expensive to prevent childhood obesity than to pay the associated health bills later.
There is a link between obesity and lack of education, which is likely why the South and Appalachia always lead the lists. Educated people stay in better shape.
Perhaps, as we improve our schools we’ll see healthier lifestyles.
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60 comments Add your comment
Ole Guy
November 25th, 2009
9:07 pm
It ain’t easy, Philo…I know we’re not talking about you, but rather, the kid with a pile of HW/projects. Given there’s only so much time in a day, then, how does the kid find time? I only direct earlier comments to you, the “guidon of example” as just that…the example. I realize we don’t live in the bucolic “Andy-throws-the-ball-around-with-Opie” environment (I’m not so sure it really ever existed), but it certainly can’t hurt to target that ideal, if not for only 45 minutes/day. CHOW!
Philosopher
November 26th, 2009
1:24 pm
Ole Guy- a good thought, but imcompatible with reality. Kids are supposed to get a minimum of 8 hours sleep in order to think, retain information and have a healthy immune system. Teachers expect all homework done and…”I had to play for 45 minutes” is certianly NOT an acceptable excuse for any teacher. And…have you ever tried to suggest to a teacher that perhaps he/she is giving too much work to a kid? RIGHT!!! Come visit a day in the life of a conscientious student and you will agree…school is killing our kids.
Ole Guy
November 26th, 2009
4:25 pm
We’re battin the ball back and forth, Philo. I would imagine the average school day, discounting lunch, is about six-or-so hours. At the same time, the primary educational pipeline is twelve years.
As I’ve indicated in previous remarks, time was when the kid had to have two broken legs, simultaniously, to prevent him from a pick-up game.
Now you, the (I presume) ed elite can argue 1) no money in the budget for pe, 2) that was back in a different time…kids are differentb today, 3) etc, etc, etc. You can lament over the influence of technology over kids’ lives; how this love affair with the computer, tv, or whathaveyou has supplanted the habits of the “good ole days”.
If teachers are over-loading kids with learning objectives relative to the (what I would call) “basics”, than something’s not clicking. If this over-load is the result of the advanced placement programs, than perhaps the objectives may be too advanced. There were people in college (definetely not me) carrying 18 hours (full load), ROTC, and married with kids. A part-time job, time to “have a few” with the guys on Fri/Sat, and the periodic game of handball, or simply just a run around the airfield…all this and, come graduation day, the guy made top tier (dean’s list) just before his wife pinned-on his bar.
I know not all people, least of all yours truly, have this level of drive and motivation. However (and I know this sounds extremely trite), THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE! Life’s a marathon; the objective is to finish. Good luck to you and yours, Philo.
sanborn121
November 27th, 2009
1:03 pm
obama care will take care of everything! Afterall, obama cares!
sanborn121
November 27th, 2009
1:04 pm
how do you like the welfare moms coming out of wal-mart with two truck loads of junk food?
Ole Guy
November 28th, 2009
2:15 pm
San 21, in your zeal to cast (presumably) funny at a sad reality of life, you have, perhaps inadvertedly, highlighted one of the many reasons why health and physical education (not should but) MUST become an integral component of public education; not reserved for those who may wind up attending college. While decent nutrition can be somewhat costly, it need not remain entirely outside the domain of the “welfare mom”.
Bonnie
November 29th, 2009
7:56 am
I think the comment “school is killing our kids” is partly right. We are institutionalizing them into mediocrity. We want everyone to be the same and make the same “standard.” This is almost criminal because we do this with school nutrition and lack of PE. Teachers, school nurses, and administrators are some of the most unhealthy people I know–and they set the standard at the school. Parents are stressed. We have created this world we live in; we have created our schools and the way we live. We can only complain and wring our hands so much–and then, in the end, it is us who are our worst enemies. Food is everywhere, but it is bad, processed, chemical-injected food. The outside is everywhere, but for some reason people can’t understand that a pair of good tennis shoes is all you need to walk a little bit every day and get moving. People are drugged by food and lazy and they are forgetting to even look for something different! Look at the Wall-E and the people in that movie. We are not far from that. Schools are becoming that–trying to keep children comfortable no matter what so we don’t really have to work at knowing kids’ strenghts or weaknesses or passions.
We live in a drugged, passionless society that is forgetting its humanity and soul. This is reflective in schools.
The_Fat_Hillbilly
November 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Begin by placing the responsibility on the person that’s obese. Why do we always need to “Blame” someone or something. As with every topic like this, it’s always someone or something other than you. If you are fat or obese, it’s your fault not mine, Obama’s, Healthcare, The Government etc. Put those Mt. Dews and Oreos down and take a walk.
Stop picking on Hillbillies, Red Necks and country folk. CIty Slickers have big butts as well. Drive around ATL sometime and see for yourself.
Fat but not so happy: Southern counties lead U.S. obesity rates … | HEALTH CHOICES
November 29th, 2009
12:28 pm
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GHK
December 11th, 2009
2:58 pm
Obesity of a “societal” problem. With kids, good health habits start at home. When parents make it a priority then and only then can schools make a difference. With an overweight and obesity rate at 65% for adults, you can see where the problem lies….unhealthy role models. Parents are overweight, teachers are overweight and that is what kids see. How can anyone possibly impact the behavior of a child in a positive way, when they are not modeling the behaviors they want their children to have.
Other states have made obesity prevention a priority and have funded both programs and positions/people in schools who can make a difference. Our neighbor to the north, Tennessee has designed and funded a model that can and will work, but Georgia does nothing. There are a number of organizations in the state who try to make a difference, but without support from under the “dome” we will always fighting a very tough battle. If you want action, talk to your representatives now.
As an aside, I think most of the individuals who take care of their personal health through physical activity and healthy eating would prefer not to pay the healthcare costs of those who do not. With Government Run Healthcare (or whatever they are calling it now), we will all pay for it. Thank you, but I would prefer a plan where the proactive individuals pay less and the “inactive” pay more.