Texas Schools Obesity Rates

Posted by Barbara Pytel Sep 14, 2006

Texas has passed laws mandating more physical education and less junk food in schools. But, Eric Berger of the Houston Chronicle writes that these interventions may be coming too late. Growing numbers of students are entering kindergarten already obese.

Obese Toddlers

Three year old children are already obese in one out of five cases. Who are the heaviest children? 25.8% of Hispanic children are obese entering school. 14.8% of whites and 16.2% of blacks are obese in early elementary school.

Study Results

The study appears in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. This is, of course, of great concern to health professionals in Texas because over half of the population is Latinos. Diabetes is only one health risk that is of great concern. Heart disease, cancer, arthritis all have links to obesity. Latinos already account for more than half of school age children in Texas and by 1040 66% are estimated to be Hispanic.

Economics Not A Factor

Economics does not seem to be the factor. Both blacks and Hispanics seem to have the same economic status in the study but Hispanics have a significantly higher obesity rate than blacks.

Education May Be The Key

Education may be the key to solving this problem. The health community is going to emphasize the following to the Latino community:

Waiting until children enter school may be too late so home interventions may be necessary.

Related articles: Cuts in Recess Time, Award-Winning P.E. Curriculums, European Study on Obesity, Childhood Obesity and School, Bottled Water in Schools, Organic Foods in Schools, Moving Classrooms

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2006. Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.