More reasons we need to work on childhood obesity

Obesity-associated annual hospital costs for children and youth more than tripled over two decades, rising from $35 million in 1979-1981 to $127 million in 1997-1999. ("Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005," Institute of Medicine.)

Exercise

Experts agree that inactivity and poor eating habits contribute to obesity. While national guidelines recommend 150 minutes of physical activity each week for elementary children and 225 minutes for older children, only Illinois has a statewide requirement for daily physical education.

Nutrition

Nearly one-third of U.S. Children aged 4 to 19 eat fast food every day, resulting in approximately six extra pounds per year, per child. Fast food consumption has increased fivefold among children since 1970. ("Effects of Fast-Food Consumption on Energy Intake and Diet Quality Among Children in a National Household Survey," Pediatrics, January 2004.)

Obesity-related Disease

For children born in the United States in 2000, the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives is estimated to be about 30 percent for boys and 40 percent for girls. ("Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance, 2005," Institute of Medicine.)

Some troubling statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 percent of children (over 9 million) 6-19 years old are overweight or obese -- a number that has tripled since 1980. In addition to the 16 percent of children and teens ages 6 to 19 who were overweight in 1999-2002, another 15 percent were considered at risk of becoming overweight. ("Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002"; Oct. 6, 2004)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children aged 2-5 years and adolescents aged 12-19 years, and it has more than tripled for children aged 6-11 years. ("Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 1999-2002"; Oct. 6, 2004)

Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80 percent if one or more parent is overweight or obese. (United States Department of Health and Human Services)

March 24th Wellness Meeting

Hi all! Thanks for attending today's meeting on our plans to prevent childhood obesity. We really appreciated everyone's time and we look forward to working with you all on this plan. The following information was what we generally discussed at the meeting - I hope you all have some comments about the overall direction we think we're headed so we can keep moving forward!

Why are we here?

•Childhood obesity is a national epidemic
•Approximate annual deaths due to sedentary living and poor nutrition - 400,000
•Approximate direct annual medical expenditures due to inactivity & poor nutrition, borne by taxpayers - $40,000,000,000
•Wilton Y awarded Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant for local initiatives/policy changes to prevent childhood obesity

Why Wilton?

•Childhood obesity not prevalent here - concern is overweight/unfit kids
•45% of Wilton’s students do not meet physical fitness standards
•Driving is the default even for short trips
•Townwide streetscape is not conducive for walking/biking trails
•Screen time & snacking is concern
•Low awareness of available recreational assets

So really, why Wilton?

•Wilton’s reputation for strong community collaborations – we all work together!
•Completion of Route 7 provides a major new sidewalk system
•Public school wellness policy & food upgrades
•Farmers Markets and Community Gardens
•Many natural assets for active outdoor family recreation

Our mission

•Improve health and wellness in Wilton Youth through lasting initiatives that increase physical activity and encourage good nutrition.

Our vision

•The Wilton community will be a leader in promoting healthier lifestyles and lessening the risk of children becoming overweight.

3 Areas of Focus

•Increased Physical Activity
•Increased access to Healthy Foods
•Policy/Long-term Initiatives

The Plan - Increased Physical Activity

•Establish a safe “Pedestrian/Wellness Zone” using existing sidewalks & trails
–Olmstead Hill at the north; Wilton Y at the east; Wolfpit Rd. at the South; Middlebrook School at the west
•Establish a centrally located “Wellness Wall”
–Display directions to parks, walking distances to key locations, exercise and healthy eating info
•Place bike racks at key locations
•Work with collaborative partners to create safe walking links and coordinated youth program activities
•Encourage local medical professionals to “prescribe” exercise for at-risk kids

The Plan - Access to Healthy Foods

•Work with local restaurants to encourage healthy options
–Menu labeling; low calorie meals
•Review food/snack offerings at daycare, before & after school facilities
•Increase awareness of farmer’s market and local farm stands
•Encourage home gardens & participation in community gardens

The Plan - Long Term Initiatives

•Work with Town Officials to form a Wellness Commission to focus on longer term policies
•Support continued planning of Greenway
•Encourage local planners to adopt “Complete Streets” initiatives
•Promote interconnection of safe walking/biking routes
•Create “Advocate for Fit Kids” endorsement logo for organizations/programs

Comments/Feedback?

First Meeting - March 24th

Come hear all about Wilton's Plans to prevent childhood obesity - to increase physical activity; increase access to healthy food choices; and to work towards long term initiatives that will lead to a healthier community. Why are we doing all this? Come to meeting at 1 pm at Trackside on Wednesday and find out!