Oklahoma fights childhood obesity

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Posted: 11:48 AM Nov 19, 2008
Last Updated: 11:48 AM Nov 19, 2008
Reporter: Daniel Armbruster
Email Address: daniel.armbruster@kxii.com

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ARDMORE, Okla. ― As childhood obesity numbers continue to rise across the country, Oklahoma Legislators are addressing the problem at home. Daniel Armbruster has more.

The current generation of kids is the first expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. It’s being blamed on poor dieting.

Oklahoma State Representative Richard Morrissette announced his support Tuesday morning for a statewide health initiative to combat the childhood obesity epidemic. Morrissette is calling it the “Right Track Nutrition Legislation.”

If the bill passes, all children under 16 would have an annual body mass index screening. The childhood obesity problem is so bad that today's children are not expected to live as long as their parents.

Amy Mauldin, a dietitian with the Carter County Health Department, says kids are not getting enough exercise, and many parents need to step up and encourage their kids to eat better.

"If they can do something about it now and really instill good healthful habits now with the healthy eating, health activities and just make it more of a lifestyle, it’s going to prevent a lot of the things that come later like obesity and diabetes," Mauldin says.

Some are even calling childhood obesity a national security issue, because 70% of our young generation that want to go into the military someday will be turned away due to diet-related diseases.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: kevin sims Location: miami on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:32 PM
There is a teacher in south florida who developed a great program for elementary age children to decrease childhood obesity and increase student achievment in core subject areas like reading, writing, science and other core subject areas. This program is effective and will mean to children what Tae-Bo meant to many adults across America. The website address is www.getfitwithcoachsmith.com The progam is called Edu-Fitt

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Hugo on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Ok, someone tell what Wal-Mart has to do with fat kids. I wonder who is going to pay for the test. I have insurance but I'm sure it will be considered a preventive measure and I will be stuck paying the complete bill for my child. And, being a tax payer I quess I will be paying for all of those on welfare as well.

Posted by: denizen Location: denison on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Red, it's other tax-paying law-abiding citizens that are going to have to pay for the medical care of these fat kids when they develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease from their poor diets and lack of activity!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I notice that I see a much higher percentage of fat kids at Wal-Mart than I do anywhere else. I wonder why that is.

Posted by: My Opinion Location: Durant on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I agree with "just my opinion" children these days are not nearly as active at home or in school as they used to be. Physical education needs to be stressed at school & at home. It is our responsiblities as adults to ensure our children grow up happy & healthy. It's really sad that you can ask most children their favorite food & the answer will be a fast-food item. Not only do we need to educate these children but make it a way of life. Not just tell them to eat healthy then take them out for pizza or McD's.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Hugo on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:52 AM
Hugo Elementary has a wonderful program called WATT.(Walk and Talk Time)The kids love it. They get a combination of exercise and social skills.

Posted by: Red Location: Sherman on Nov 19, 2008 at 06:23 PM
What happens when a child does not meet the governments "annual body mass index" standard under this plan? Are they going to send the child to a re-education camp? Or are the parents going to be fined or sent to jail? The government does not need to worry about what our children eat, let alone what they weigh, that is up to the parents. This plan is just more government intrusion into the daily lives of tax paying law abiding citizens.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: G-ville on Nov 19, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Physical Education is very important, but not only at school. People should get their kids away from the TV and video games and make them play sports. I myself had a childhood obesity problem and I refuse to let it happen to my children. They are 6 and 4 and they already play soccer, football, basketball, and tee-ball. While yes my days stay pretty full I believe it is worth the time and effort. More parents should get off their bottoms and play with their kids.

Posted by: just my opinion on Nov 19, 2008 at 02:33 PM
make those kids get out in the hay field, corn field, peanut field, work it off of them. oklahoma has alot of farm land. all these kids do now days is set in front of the video games, tv sets, i never see kids out playing. my kids are just as guilty, they should be out side too, they are not over weight.but my kids are 22,18 and 16. when they were younger they did play outside alot. i'm sorry i went on and on and on about my kids. SORRY. but any way kids need to be outside more than they are.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 19, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Should't have added that last paragraph there, paranoid mothers are going to start taking their kids to McD's every day to fatten them up so they won't be sent off to war.

Posted by: concerned Location: Texas on Nov 19, 2008 at 12:58 PM
I think the schools need to do their part by making physical education an important part of school again. Many schools have little or no physical activity for the children during the day, they are all concentrating on computer classes or getting ready for testing. Let the kids be kids and we won't have an obesity problem.

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