ADDRESSING OBESITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH

Karin AddisonDeputy Secretary of Education and

Children’s Services

Survey MethodologyVirginia Youth Survey

• Assistance from CDC• Students ages 13 to 18 enrolled

in high school grades 9 – 12• Youth were surveyed in Fall 2011• Provides comparison to other

states and national data

Virginia Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey• Formatted using CDC-validated

survey questions• Students ages 10 to 16 enrolled

middle school grades 6 – 8 • Youth were surveyed from

September 2011 through May 2012

Next surveys will be administered in Fall 2013

Virginia• 34.2 % of adults

are overweight

• 29.2 % of adults are obese

Adult Obesity

NORTHEAST

Adult ObesityMIDWEST

WEST

SOUTH

29.5%

24.3% 29%25.3%

Virginia currently ranks 15th among the nation’s most obese states according to the Trust for America’s Health “F as in Fat” report.

Adult Obesity

• Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled.

• Today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese.

– Higher in African American and Hispanic communities, where nearly 40% of the children are overweight or obese.

– Predicted that one-third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives.

– Many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems.

Childhood Obesity

2011 State Prevalence Among Low-Income Children Aged 2 to 4 years

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

Virginia High School Overweight/Obesity

Virginia High School Overweight/Obesity

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

1 out of 4high school girls is considered

overweight or obese.

1 out of 3high school boys is considered

overweight or obese.

2011 Virginia Youth Survey and 2012 Virginia Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey

Comparing Age Groups

12%Middle school

Obesity prevalence

11%High school

Obesity prevalence

Middle School Overweight and Obesity by Region

2010 Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey, VFHY

• Obesity is a multi-factoral problem

• American lifestyles have drastically changed

Virginia Youth Health Behaviors

Fruit and Vegetable Intake

83% of high school students did not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day.

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

Physical Activity

24% of high school students met the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

ScreenTime

77%of students reported

MORE than two hoursof total screen time per day.

2011 Virginia Youth Survey

Sugar Sweetened Beverages

1 out of 7 Virginia youth consume soda

at least three times a day, increasing

their chances of becoming obese by

more than 60%.

Virginia public schools have been committed to improve health and to teach students the importance of practicing healthy behaviors.

Schools are part of the Solution

• 85.9 percent of school divisions have taken steps to serve meals featuring local foods.

• Farm to School Week will take place from Nov. 11- Nov. 15

Virginia Farm to School

• More whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; low-fat milk dairy products; and less sodium and fat.

• The right portion. Menus are planned for grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 and will demonstrate correct size portions.

• Schools will be reimbursed an additional 6 cents for each lunch they serve in accordance with the new standards.

Healthy and Hunger Free Kids Act

• Establishes rigorous standards for schools' food quality, participation in meal programs, physical activity opportunities and nutrition education

• 251 schools in nine different Virginia school districts have received awards.

Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge

• In addition to improved meal quality, many Virginia schools are meeting the challenge by promoting increased physical activity.

Healthier U.S. Schools ChallengeIn addition to improved meal quality, many Virginia schools are meeting the challenge by promoting increased physical activity.

The Virginia Youth Obesity survey provides valuable baseline obesity data.

Future Directions