Obesity is growing concern in state

A recent study by the office of the New York State Comptroller links childhood obesity with future health problems and health care costs, increasing with age.
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report, Preventing and Reducing Childhood Obesity in New York, highlighting that more than one million young people in New York are obese. With such a high number representing obesity in New York State, more than $6 billion is spent annually through public and private medical expenses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, parameters for those considered overweight or obese specify the proportion of weight to height to calculate the amount of body fat and whether the person is considered overweight or obese.
In 2003, New York health care costs for adults suffering from obesity totaled more than $6 billion, still the current state average and ranking second highest in the United States. At that time, the national average was at $1.4 billion - California nearing $8 billion. More than 80 percent of costs were paid for by Medicaid and Medicare - public tax dollars.
According to Comptroller DiNapoli's weekly column for November 14, New York State Department of Health “estimates that one out of every four New Yorkers under 18 years of age is obese, and many more are at risk of becoming obese. For most age groups, this rate of obesity has tripled over the past 30 years; for children between six years and 11 years, the rate has quadrupled.”
Processed foods, fast food, foods and drinks high in sugar and little or no physical activity paired with the overuse of technology indoors can lead to unwanted weight gain. Those suffering from obesity also risk picking up other illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, liver disease and depression. Obese children also tend to miss school more often, causing them to fall behind in their studies.
In high school students, a 2007 CDC study reports, 62 per cent fail to meet physical activity requirements and that 87 per cent do not attend daily physical education classes. Most high school students do not eat the recommended five daily servings of food. Besides parental motivation, education systems should take part in promoting health and weight gain prevention through physical activity and proper dieting.
The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program require participating schools to meet federal nutrition guidelines, limiting fat and providing healthy levels of protein, vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and calories.
DiNapoli offers that through statewide audits of school districts, the state will ensure children are meeting physical fitness, nutrition and weight requirements.
To calculate your body mass index, visit https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/index.htm or contact the Department of Agriculture's regional field office at 212-620-3691 concerning information about the lunch and breakfast programs.