The nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity is of particular concern in New Jersey. Between 1980 and 1999, the national prevalence of excess weight nearly tripled (from 5 percent to 14 percent) among adolescents and nearly doubled (from 7 percent to 13 percent) in children 6–11 years of age. Among low-income kids aged 2–5, New Jersey led the nation in obesity. These findings also forecast an increase in chronic disease, emotional distress and health care costs as the younger generation ages. Linked to obesity, Type II diabetes and depression are becoming increasingly common among the youngest members of society.
Root causes of overweight and obesity include insufficient physical activity in relation to calories consumed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior and other surveys indicate that the decline in energy expenditure is due to decreased moderate and vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary behavior. The 2001 survey of New Jersey youth found that one in three did not attend physical education on a daily basis and 9 percent had had no vigorous or moderate physical activity during the previous seven days. Additional research points to factors, such as a perception that communities are unsafe for outdoor play, and lack of facilities and supervision for after-school physical activity. According to a 2003 study of California youth, one out of four kids had no access to a safe park, playground or open space for physical activity.
To shape alternatives that are accessible, healthy and desirable, research suggests that an integrated multi-pronged approach is most effective in tackling the problems that lead to childhood overweight and obesity. Successful programs foster a culture change. Families, schools, public agencies, community institutions and health care providers all have roles to play in supporting healthy lifestyles for New Jersey youth. Indeed, an enormous number of task forces and committees across the country are making strides towards positive change through clinical settings, community design, media campaigns, and the implementation of child-based interventions in schools and communities (e.g., after school programs, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs).
This section focuses on behavioral and social interventions for weight management. Studies indicate that a key factor contributing to the success of these interventions is their ability to foster self-management skills. The three intervention-based programs described below – Planet Health, SPARK®, and CATCH – have proven track records in meeting health targets and/or weight reduction goals among diverse populations and in multiple settings across the country. The section concludes with a discussion of actions and steps community leaders can take to implement or support the implementation of the programs described.
Parents, activists, school nurses and others are working to combat obesity through schools using three major approaches:
Planet Health (profiled below) is designed specifically around the first and third approaches.
