LITTLE ROCK — There’s no hiding the fact that America has a weight problem. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported recently that nearly 10 percent of all health care spending in the United States — an estimated $147 billion per year — can be attributed to obesityrelated diseases. In Arkansas, the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese has increased from 53 percent to nearly 66 percent over the past.
What can be done to reverse this disturbing trend? For one thing, it would be great if we all could commit to adopting at least one new healthy habit such
, 30 minutes a day or eating carrots instead of potato chips with our lunch. Remember, it doesn’t have to be New Year’s Day to make a good resolution.
What else? Let’s not forget the children. America can’t afford to pass its corpulence on to future generations.
Parents need to take charge of their children’s health habits, but schools also play a role. The importance of proper nutrition and healthy choices should be taught at an early age, right along with spelling and arithmetic.
That’s why we cheer the Child Wellness Intervention Program, a $700,000 grant program developed through a partnership of the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Gov. Mike Beebe said the program is designed to promote high-quality physical education in our public schools. Grant money will fund new physical-education equipment and interactive fitness-themed software; in addition, teachers will learn how to integrate lessons on health and exercise into the classroom.
Many schools in America have chosen to cut physical education in order to save money or put more time into academics. That’s unfortunate. Studies have suggested that physical exercise not only keeps the body in shape, but sharpens the brain as well.
On another front, let’s be sure that the children are getting nutritious meals at school. Under federal programs, approximately 8 million breakfasts and 28 million lunches are served to schoolchildren each day. There is legitimate concern that meals served in schools today are overloaded with processed meats and cheese products. The Institute of Medicine recommends that schools add a more extensive selection of fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains to the lunch line. Congress should consider this advice carefully the next time it decides to review the Child Nutrition Act.
Solving America’s obesity epidemic is no simple task. A lot of people will have to make significant lifestyle changes.
For the long run, however, it is critical that children learn to appreciate the value of exercise and healthy eating. With luck, they will carry those lessons with them all of their lives. Not only will they be happier, but the financial burden of obesityrelated diseases will be somewhat allayed.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 11/02/2009
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