Press Release 01/16/04
Published in the Daily News 02/01/04

La Marque - An epidemic of obesity has become one of the most important health problems facing Texas today. It is an epidemic that officials at the Galveston County Health District have taken notice of.

Besides being a health problem in itself, obesity contributes too many other dangerous conditions such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. Obesity is also associated with emotional problems such as low self-esteem and depression. “Recognizing the impact that obesity has on the health of the community was one of the driving factors for including this issue in a new Strategic Health Plan for Galveston County,” says Kurt Koopmann, Public Information Officer for the Galveston County Health District.

Texas Health surveys indicate more than 61 percent of Texas adults and 35 percent of Texas school-age children are considered overweight or obese, and the numbers of individuals becoming obese is growing rapidly. “The growing numbers of people living with obesity exacts a tremendous toll on the overall health care system,” states Dr. Mark Guidry, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Director for the District. “Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and gallbladder disease.”

In preventing obesity, the easiest and most logical group to start with is children, since childhood obesity is a precursor of adult obesity. A child who is overweight at age 12 has a 75 percent chance of being overweight as an adult. “We have to change our kids’ eating and exercise habits, or we’re going to be in for an dramatic increase in health conditions that will devastate lives and our healthcare system,” Guidry states. “If we don’t make changes now, we could be looking at a generation of kids whose lifespan are actually shorter than their parents.”

With the beginning of a new year it is a great time to take a serious look at ways of reducing the incidence of obesity with healthy lifestyle choices. There are so many ways to build a healthy lifestyle – there is lots of room for choice. The American Dietetic Association suggests the following tips for building a healthy lifestyle:

• Healthy eating helps you get the most out of life. A healthy lifestyle is the key to looking good, feeling great and being your best at work and play. It all starts with a healthy eating plan.
• Individual needs and preferences determine your personal food choices. Match your food choices to your lifestyle and individual requirements, choosing enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Actively pursue variety. Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only promotes optimal nutrition, it provides the pleasurable aspects of eating.
• Make moderation your goal – you decide how much how often. Healthy eating doesn’t mean feeling deprived or guilty. Look at the big picture, it is what you eat over several days – not just one day or one meal – that’s important.
• Develop a personal fitness plan that fits your lifestyle. The key is to find a variety of activities you enjoy. You do not need expensive equipment or complicated fitness programs.

For parents the challenge of fostering healthy habits in children can be difficult. Children often use their parents as role models, so it is important to set a good example. It is good for parents to try new food themselves to be a model for their challenging, it can be made fun for the child and easier for parents by the using recommendations found in Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

These Guidelines are published jointly every five years by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Guidelines provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. For more information the Guidelines can be viewed at http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/.

Parents should also understand that physical activity is just as important for children as it is for adults. Participate and develop in activities that will aide in preventing childhood obesity. Many official sources encourage daily or near daily physical activities for 30 minutes or longer for both young persons and adults.

A person doesn’t always need high-intensity exercise to improve fitness and decrease health risks. Increasing the amount of moderate physical activity (like walking or gardening) has clear health benefits. Start with simple, everyday activities that are fun and easy for you to do. Walking 10 minutes a day is a good place to start for most people. Pick a few activities that you can make part of your daily routine. As always, before beginning any new exercise or nutrition program one should first consult their primary care provider.

“The Galveston County Health District would like to see families, communities, and public and private entities share the responsibility for supporting and promoting active lifestyles and access to healthy food choices,” Guidry said. “By choosing healthier options for themselves and their families, Galveston County residents can seriously reduce their risk of developing many chronic illnesses.”

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org