Obesity--issues and implications.

Obesity is a condition that has been described as an epidemic in today's society. This is due to the following incredible statistics--

* 61% of adults and 13% of adolescents and children are overweight or obese;

* The Healthy People 2010 report identified overweight and obesity as one of the nation's leading health problems;

* The United States Surgeon General's Report lists treatment and prevention of obesity as top national priorities;

* Estimates have been established that the annual cost of obesity in the U.S. is $1.17 billion per year;

* Childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past 30 years.

President Bush has recently declared a Call for Action to address obesity and overweight concerns pervading society today. Reports published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clearly show the need for appropriate and regular physical education for children, especially those with disabilities.

Recent Public Policy Design

There are several Federal public policy initiatives designed to provide opportunities for school children to confront potential obesity through physical activity programs. Some of these Federal initiatives have been developed through the United States Congress and also through the Department of Health and Human Services.

For example, the legislature has proposed the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (HR. 716 & S. 1172). This program, if passed, would award grants to promote healthy eating behaviors and increases in physical activity. These grants could be awarded to target at-risk populations (i.e., youths with disabilities). Our profession should make note of this Bill as it progresses through the legislative process.

A Paradigm Shift 

An apparent paradigm shift is occurring within the physical education, therapeutic recreation, and nutrition fields. The Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act grants, when adopted, would coordinate activities among state and local educational agencies (LEAs), county and state Departments of Health, and Child Nutrition Act (originally PL 89-642, now undergoing reauthorization as S. 1367) programs. Emphasis is on forming partnerships with schools, faith-based entities, after school recreational centers, senior citizen centers, and nursing homes.

However, intervention programs for grant applicants must be evidence-based. The administration is demanding research programs demonstrate best practices as documented through research-designed protocols. This new paradigm exists throughout the entire educational system; however this paradigm differs from school-based only programs with limited generalizations to the community-based leisure physical activity in the community.

Other Federal Initiatives

Several other Federal initiatives have been proposed and are being developed. The Steps to a Healthier USA program is similar in concept to S. 1172; however, obesity is only one of the key components of the Steps to a Healthier USA program.

The Summer Food Service and the Child and Adult Care Food Program were developed to include both nutritional and physical activity initiatives when implemented appropriately. Legislative Update will keep readers aware of the status of all these bills as they progress through the legislative process.

The goals of all of these programs are to link nutritional advocates with physical education and recreation professionals, and in doing so, bring legislation together to help reduce the risks of obesity and overweight characteristics amongst children, especially those with disabilities.

Children with Disabilities Programs Must Access Generic Programs of National Physical Activity Assistance

The Physical Education for Progress Act (PEP; S. 1159), which has been in effect for approximately four years, is a program adapted physical education and therapeutic recreation professionals should apply to access. This program is seemingly not addressing children with disabilities. Whether this is due to the lack of applications submitted by adapted physical education professionals of because those applying and receiving funding do not address their own students with disabilities is difficult to determine. The PEP Act, reauthorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 2001, supports many school districts each year in an effort to improve the physical education and fitness of school children. Adapted physical educators, as well as therapeutic recreation specialists, should look into applying for these funds in an effort to improve their own students' health and wellness.

Summary

Although obesity continues to gain front page news, and is recognized by both the Surgeon General and the President, it remains the responsibility of adapted physical educators and therapeutic recreation specialists to acknowledge and make known effective strategies to reduce this epidemic. A new paradigm forming is a collaboration between activity and recreation specialists who are working together with nutrition specialists. By reducing obesity, children with disabilities maintain healthier lifestyles and become less susceptible to debilitating secondary diseases often associated with this condition.