Obesity in Arkansas

 

 

Children today have a shorter life expectancy than their parents for the first time in one hundred years because of the epidemic of obesity, according to Dr. William Klish, Professor of Pediatrics and Head of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine.


Arkansas has the 10th highest rate of adult obesity in the nation at 28.6 %, and the second highest of overweight youths (ages 10-17) at 37.5 %, according to 2009 report by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes, thus quality, daily PE would do so much for the health of this country.


United States Obesity Trends (click map)


 
US Obesity Trends Map

Current physical education guidelines in Arkansas’ public schools require teachers to provide at least 60 minutes of Physical Education a week for K-8th grade (Arkansas Coordinated School Health). This is less than a fourth of the amount of exercise recommended by the Center for Disease Control. Unfortunately, many children go directly from the school desk during the day to the computer chair at home in the afternoon, and eventually to the sofa or bed to watch television at night.
 

Statewide strategies have been underway for a decade to address the obesity burden in Arkansas. Because obesity affects Arkansans in all areas of the state and across all levels of income, education, health care access, race and ethnicity, it became necessary to build a coalition to attack obesity from all angels. In August 2007,  the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP) was  born to include partners from around the state to join forces to combat this epidemic. Click here to learn more about ArCOP.

 

Community Center Model

 

PE4life believes that obesity is a community issue. We have partnered with the Rogers Activity Center to create a unique Community Model that will combine health and wellness education with physical activity to enhance before and after school, weekend and summer programming. This type of pro-active programming encompasses the entire family, featuring innovative physical activity programs (indoor and outdoor), health and wellness education that includes nutrition, and teaching people how to change behavior to create healthy lifestyles for a lifetime.


Extending the opportunity for health and wellness education and activity for families in a Community Model will:  

 

  • Promote healthy lifestyle habits to the entire family

  • Build H.A.P.P.Y (Healthy, Active, Positive, Powerful, You) community members

  • Reduce the cost of healthcare by preventing diseases related to inactivity and obesity

  • Benefit corporations by decreasing the days missed by employees due to personal illness or family related illnesses as a result of obesity


PE4life believes that the answer to "Community Involvement" lies within city and state government. How can you lead your community to better health and wellness? Here are some examples...

Girls Gardening


Michelle Obama is calling on the country’s governors to help in the battle against childhood obesity.

 

Fayetteville, Arkansas Starts Community Garden.


El Dorado Arkansas’ Union Academy of Health & Wellness opens Family Fitness Center.

 

Hernando, Mississippi Hopes to Heal.

 

Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families - Helping Children Be Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.


Join Forces with Your Hometown Health Improvement  office (Arkansas Contacts)