State Spotlight: Ohio Steps Up to Curb Childhood Obesity

Statistics show that more than one third of Ohio’s kids are obese or overweight. In 2010, the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children Act became law in Ohio to address this alarming health problem. Over the years, both local and state leaders have initiated an array of programs ranging from education to intervention to tackle childhood obesity in the state.

Today, school districts in Ohio are fighting childhood obesity by requiring 30 minutes of exercise each school day; recording all K-12 student Body Mass Index (BMI) (BMI is a measure of a person’s body fat based on his or her height and weight); and incorporating nutrition and physical activity into teaching curriculum.

In addition, there are several local community initiatives in Ohio working to fight childhood obesity, including the following two noteworthy programs in Cincinnati and Montgomery County:

1. Cincinnati Community Fights Obesity with Personalized Health Plans
Cincinnati public schools and community partners recently opened a weight management clinic to fight childhood obesity. This after-school program brings students, their families, registered dieticians, and exercise physiologists together to create personalized health plans to improve kids’ food and exercise habits. “Good health is truly tied to the academic success of Cincinnati Schools,” said Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Mary Ronan. Childhood obesity is not a problem in isolation; it also has economic and academic costs. The community kicked off their pilot program with approximately 350 students in May. Read more in this Cincinnati.com article: http://cin.ci/13Ipm4H

2. GetUp Montgomery County Launches Public Awareness Obesity Campaign
The GetUp Montgomery County program promotes a “5-2-1-Almost None” mantra to encourage kids to make healthier choices. Check out their website for more information and teacher resources on classroom strategies: http://bit.ly/195Ch8R

• Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
• Spend less than 2 hours of leisure time each day on the TV, computer or video games.
• Get at least 1 hour of physical activity each day.
• Drink almost none of those sugary soda or juice-flavored drinks.

Inspired by these community-based programs? In June, the Ohio Department of Health announced a $1 million early childhood obesity prevention grant program to fund high-need communities and existing efforts over the next two years. This new initiative is focused on preventing obesity for children at birth to 5 years of age.  To learn more about the grant program, read the press release: http://1.usa.gov/13g87rA

What ways are your communities or schools fighting childhood obesity? Tweet your examples and ideas to @BagTheJunk.