Study critical of Ohio obesity policies

According to a newly released study from the Trust for America’s Health, 27 percent of Ohioans are obese, making it the 17th most obese state in America. (Source: “Is Ohio losing the fight vs. obesity?” Columbus Dispatch, Aug. 20, 2008).

The group's annual “F as in Fat” survey, which was taken in conjunction with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sharply criticized state government efforts aimed at addressing the issue.

Among the criticisms of Ohio policy are:

·        There are no sanctions or penalties for schools that do not follow the state's physical education requirement

·        There are no guidelines for treating obese Medicaid beneficiaries

·        There is no law against using obesity as a risk factor to justify denying insurance coverage or raising premiums