“Solving the Problem of Obesity Within a Generation” is a comprehensive document released by the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity that addresses where we as a nation stand on the obesity subject, along with solutions.
The goal of the White House Task Force is to reduce childhood obesity rates to the levels they were 30 years ago. It’s hard to comprehend that in less than three decades we have gone from a country where over half the states had an obesity rate less than 10 percent to a country with an obesity rate that now averages 25 to 29 percent.
Bringing this a bit closer to home, in Lake County, obesity samples of our children show that:
28 percent of 4- to 5-year-olds are overweight or at-risk (well-child visits);
29 percent of seventh graders are at an unhealthy weight (2008 Food Policy Advocates);
80 percent of overweight adolescents become overweight adults.
Our communities are paying for this epidemic in medical costs as well as poor health.
Our health: Recent studies indicate that body mass index (ratio of height and weight) is the most significant factor in cancer prevention. A 2003 study by the American Cancer Society of more than 900,000 men and women showed that the heaviest men had death rates from all cancers combined that were 52 percent higher than the rates among normal-weight men and that women had cancer death rates 62 percent higher than normal-weight women.
Obesity is also linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and heart disease and other chronic health conditions.
Our economy: Economic costs for obesity, overweight and physical inactivity in Lake County totals $78 million annually for health care and lost productivity, according to a study conducted by Chenoweth & Associates based on a similar study by CA Dept of Health Services.
The good news is that we are doing something about this in our community.
For instance, have you noticed that there is a strong movement to eat more locally grown produce? Our local restaurants, schools, senior centers, and other institutions are purchasing more locally grown products. This helps our health and our economy.
Fresh vegetables and fruit provide numerous nutritional benefits and help to maintain a healthy weight. Fiber intake has been shown to be the single greatest dietary factor in maintaining a healthy weight over time. Dried beans are particularly high in fiber, but all plant based foods from whole grains to vegetables, fruit and nuts provide good fiber.
Be sure to visit your local farmer’s market for fresh, farm-direct produce during the months ahead. Conveniently located Farmer’s Markets are popping up all over Lake County:
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Steele Winery, Kelseyville;
Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Library Park, Lakeport;
Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Coyote Valley Plaza, Hidden Valley Lake;
Fridays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Redbud Library, Clearlake.
Naturally, our local grocery markets also supply a bounty of produce.
School food service directors are playing a leadership role in preparing healthy meals for students while having to operate on a shoe-string budget. They are creating innovative programs and developing relationships with local farmers, thereby steadily increasing their purchase of fresh produce.
In the Kelseyville school district, the food service director has tripled her purchase of locally-grown produce over the past school year. This is a great way for all children to have access to nutritious food. Other school districts also are increasing purchase of local produce.
To continue supporting wellness polices in our schools and to augment these important farm-school efforts in our school cafeterias, elementary schools in nearly every school district are now using the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) curriculum.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital was awarded a grant on behalf of the Health Leadership Network in 2008 that has funded teacher, food service, and administrator training on the CATCH program. CATCH is a grab-and-go, evidence based program with proven results. It integrates nutrition lessons, physical activity, food service and parent participation. The program was launched in 2008 and approximately 25 elementary school classrooms have hosted CATCH demonstrations. Teachers appreciate the unique “grab-and-go” style curriculum, and additional educator trainings are in the works.
Community collaborations are an important component in helping fight this obesity epidemic in our communities. Along with the CATCH curriculum, several Lake County school districts are working with other organizations, such as the Hunger Task Force and AmeriCorps to help educate children, teachers and parents.
One example of these successful collaborations are the school garden projects that are spreading across the county, as they are a proven way to get kids excited about eating fresh vegetables.
A very exciting garden project is under way in Upper Lake, utilizing a 2.5-acre parcel of land adjacent to the high school.
According to Tammy Alaksay, of AmeriCorps, this project has the potential to incorporate literally the entire community from the Head Start preschool, to the elementary school, high school, agricultural department, and Upper Lake community members.
“This group has great vision, and it is so exciting to see these kinds of dynamic ideas taking root here in Lake County,” she said.
Alaksay is optimistic that they will be able to get “something in the ground this year, which will just be a first step toward our ultimate goal, and something really special.”
The Hunger Task Force wants to be a support to any school interested in starting their own garden. “Help in the form of garden starts or even labor may be available through the Hunger Task Force, with support of partners like AmeriCorps,” said Alaksay.
The Lake County Hunger Task Force is also supporting local community gardens throughout Lake County. Last year alone they harvested 6,201 pounds of fresh produce, which was distributed to food banks and schools, as well as others in need. Their primary goal is for all Lake County residents to go to bed each day having had enough good, nourishing meals available.
County Health Services also was awarded a grant from California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) to increase consumption and production of fresh produce (vegetables, fruit, and tree nuts). They are partnering with local community agencies and members of the Health Leadership Network to implement the project. One exciting element in the works is the development of an online ordering system through which institutions and the public will be able to purchase these products directly via an online system.
Obesity and poor nutrition are real challenges throughout the nation, and Lake County is no exception. These innovative and exciting programs are effective ways we can fight back.
Alaksay explained, “One of the very serious issues with our bad economy is that people don’t have enough food to eat. We want to encourage people that you can put a few seeds in the ground and eat for the summer.”
In the days when obesity was not increasing at such an alarming rate, folks often had their own gardens and ate more locally grown produce. These are good ways to support population health and a vibrant community in any era.
It is going to take everyone working together to prevent obesity and its related health conditions. We are fortunate that our community is already taking many action steps toward improved health and well-being.
Stay tuned for more developments that promote “Eat Fresh ~ Buy Lake County Grown.”
Susan Jen is director of the Lake County Health Leadership Network.
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