LITTLE ROCK — Standing at the base of the Big Dam Bridge in North Little Rock, Acting U.S. Surgeon General Steven K. Galson said Thursday that the country must fight an "obesity epidemic" among America's children that is driving up chronic disease rates.
Wearing a crisp white uniform, the rear admiral compared the challenge ahead to central Arkansas community leaders' eight-year effort to build the 4,226-foot, $12.5 million bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Murray Lock and Dam.
It will take persistence, he said.
"We're not going to make progress with obesity, we're not going to make progress with health and wellness, withoutsustained effort and sustained leadership," said Galson, who is on a tour highlighting community efforts to decrease obesity among children.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association last month showed obesity rates among children between the ages of 6-11 has leveled off at 32 percent in 2006, the latest data available. The news came after nearly three decades of sharp increases, with rates rising from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 16.3 percent in 2002.
Galson said the results of the study, led by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are discouraging. Parents, schools, and government and community leaders need to do more to drive down obesityrates among children, he said.
"They're leveling off way too high," Galson said. "That's 9 million children over age 6 who are overweight."
The CDC considers a child overweight or obese if his body mass index is at or above the 95th percentile on an index comparing children of his same age and sex.
More than 17 percent, or 12.5 million U.S. children and teenagers between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight, putting them at higher risk of developing chronic health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In Arkansas, about 20.6 percent of students in kindergarten through 12th grade were classified as overweight last year, according to an analysis of body mass index assessments by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement.
"Obesity is the greatest health problem we have in this country and in this state," said Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, who was instrumental in the Big Dam Bridge project.
Galson came to Arkansas as part of the federal Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future Initiative, aimed at showcasing efforts to keep children active. He presented a Community Champion Award to Eagle Mountain Health and International Studies Magnet in Batesville.
The school offers 25 beforeand after-school activities for students, including yoga, gymnastics, a jump rope team and an "Extreme Team" for students interested in becoming highly physically fit. There is also a one-mile morning run program twice a week for students and parents.
Students have physical education classes three times a week and a health class once a week during which they learn about the body, how it functions and the consequences of poor health habits.
"It makes a real impression on them," said Susan Parker, the school's wellness coordinator. "We want our students to behealthy, fit, active adults. If you make it fun, they kind of realize that it's important."
Arkansas was also recognized for placing second in the National President's Challenge out of 59 U.S. states, commonwealths and territories. The challenge, which ran from March 20 to May 15, encouraged people to be physically active at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. A total of 3,604 Arkansans participated, chronicling their activities online.
Rankings took into account the number of participants compared to the state's population and the total U.S. population. Alaska got the No. 1 spot.
Arkansas Surgeon General Joe Thompson said it's nice to have some good news for the state, which is often ranked low in health-care issues.
"Today we're being recognized for something we're making progress on," he said.
In 2003, the state started a number of initiatives to improve children's health, including measuring students' body mass index and reducing foods in vending machines that provide calories primarily through fats or sugars.
A report released by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences this week found that 72 percent of students increased physical activity in 2007, up 10percent from the previous year. However, 46 percent of adolescents surveyed reported no participation in physical education at school.
For the future, Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, director of the Arkansas Department of Health's Center for Health Advancement, said communities need to become more pedestrian-friendly and bikefriendly.
The CDC provides a free online "Walkability Audit," which allows communities to assesstheir communities and identify problem areas, she said.
Thompson said he's confident Arkansas will continue to improve.
"I think we will chart a different course for the future," he said.
Arkansas, Pages 11, 15 on 06/20/2008