Health ensured
read time: 223 words, about 2 minutes
Back in 2004, University of Baltimore created the Obesity Initiative and gave states a grade based on what they were doing about childhood obesity. The measurements included:
Controlling the types of food and beverages during school
Vending machine usage/access
Body Mass Index (BMI) scores
Recess and physical education
Obesity programs, research and treatment
The first year there were no A’s. there were 23 Fs, 16 Ds.
In 2004 16% of kids were obese. In 2006 – 17.1%. The 2010 projection is 20%.
New Jersey was one of the states that didn’t do so well.
In one particular school that was featured on CBS Evening News last night, they chatted with the school nurse who was responsible for taking height and weight measurements and calculating BMI.
For kids with high BMI scores, she would send a “referral” to the parents informing them of average scores and their kids score.
The cafeteria does not serve food with little nutritional value, no candy, no soda, no snacks with more than 8 grams fat. The kids also get exercise and in some cases exercise homework.
According to the nurse, in the 2 years they have instituted the program, referrals are down, especially for the lower grades.
Nearly $120 billion a year in medical care is obesity related.
Change the eating, add exercise. Health ensurance rather than health insurance.
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