Overcoming Oregon Obesity

It is no secret that obesity currently is a huge problem in the U.S. (no pun intended). But a more increasing and disturbing concern is the fact that the issue is spreading to the nation’s children. As technological advances such as video games are increasingly getting better and better, what child would want to play outside and exercise a bit?

Though despite the nation’s rapid decline in quality of health, Oregon supposedly has the lowest child obesity rate in the U.S.

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and recently published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, the state’s child obesity rate dropped 32 percent, while the nation’s rate as a whole rose by 10 percent. However, the statistics used in the study were from 2003 to 2007 and researchers are baffled, unable to explain Oregon’s decrease in obesity.

It is possible that Oregon is truly on its way to conquering obesity not only in children, but in adults as well. Adding further good news, Men’s Health recently listed Portland, Ore., number seven in the top 10 leanest cities in the U.S.

Local studies tend to contradict this latest national one. While still lower than the national average, some groups say obesity rates continue to increase. The Oregon Healthy Teen’s Survey, using statistics from 2001–2007, reported that eighth-grader obesity increased from 7.3 percent to 10.6 percent, and eleventh-grader obesity increased from 6.7 percent to 10.2 percent. Again, the research was limited to students who were only in eighth or eleventh grade at the time.

Oregon lawmakers have taken steps in the right direction attempting to reduce the obesity problem: They have set stricter nutrition standards, including what is sold in school vending machines and a la carte stands while also boosting requirements for physical education. Although, with the current state of the economy, physical education classes in many schools are at risk of being cut.

So how reliable are these latest statistics?

The elementary schools in the Reynolds’ school district have been without a formal P. E. class this academic school year, and with continuing budget cuts, other school districts may follow.

Yes, legislature has made improvements when it comes to the nutrition in schools, but do you know what they consider a vegetable? French fries. And no matter how many actual real fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery, apples and oranges are offered, there is no guarantee the children will eat them.

It’s not entirely the school system’s fault. The blame also falls on society as a whole. With more and more households requiring a two-parent income, who has time to cook? And hey, we do like our fast food. It fits in with our fast-paced lives. Throw in other factors such as kids having TVs with gaming systems in their rooms, and who would want to play outside on a sunny spring or summer day?

Whatever the solution may be, it isn’t going to happen overnight. However, being more aware of the predicament of child obesity, as told through such surveys, is the first step towards progress.