ODH study: Child obesity not improving in Ohio

A new Ohio Department of Health study released Wednesday found that nearly 1 in 3 Ohio third-graders were overweight or obese during the 2009-2010 school year, about the same as during the 2004-2005 school year (Source: “Report: No big strides against Ohio kid obesity,” AP via Akron Beacon Journal, March 3, 2011).

ODH conducted body-mass index screenings of 15,000 students from more than 350 public elementary schools. Among the key findings in the report  (pdf, 50 pages) were:

• Non-Hispanic  black  and  Hispanic  children  were  significantly  more  overweight  or  obese  compared  to  non‐Hispanic  white  children. 
• Children  residing  in  Appalachian  counties  had  significantly  higher  overweight  or  obesity  prevalence  compared  to  children  residig  in  any  other  county  type.  
• Low  income  children  were  significantly  more  likely  to  be  obese  compared  to  other  children. 

“The  data  in  this  report  will  allow  us  to  more  effectively  address  the  needs  of  the  most  vulnerable  communities  in  Ohio,”  said  ODH  Director Theodore  Wymyslo,  M.D., in a press release. “Working  together  with  state  and  local  officials,  we  can  create  healthier  communities  and  give  all  of  Ohio’s  children  the  chance  to  lead  healthy  lives.”