Childhood Obesity in Virginia: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Actions

Childhood Obesity in Virginia: A Call to Action Understanding Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Strategies for a Healthier Future

01 The State of Our Children's Health Table of Contents 02 Unpacking the Numbers 03 The Income Divide 04 Insurance Matters 05 Race and Obesity 06 Policy & School Standards 07 Child Care Licensing 08 Taking Action 09 Healthy Eating Habits 10 Active Living 11 Community Collaboration 12 Economic Impact

13 Call To Action Table of Contents 14 The Path Forward 15 Thank You

1 The State of Our Children's Health Virginia ranks 27th nationally. Over 31% of children aged 10-17 are overweight or obese, indicating a significant health challenge. The situation requires immediate attention. Since 2003, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased in Virginia, signalling a need for revised public health strategies and interventions. Among low-income children aged 2-5 participating in WIC, over 39% are overweight or obese, revealing disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. Obesity-attributable medical expenditures in Virginia were estimated at $1.641 billion (in 2003 dollars), highlighting the substantial financial costs. Action for Healthy Kids has a Virginia coalition advocating for childhood obesity prevention and promoting innovations for healthiercommunities.

2 Unpacking the Numbers Around 64% of children aged 6-17 participate in vigorous physical activity four or more days a week, showing a foundationfor improvement throughenhanced programming. Over 11% of children aged 6-17 engage in four or more hours of daily screen time, indicating risks associated with sedentary behaviors and technological distractions. A noticeable disparity exists, with higher rates of overweight/obesity among children from families below the Federal Poverty Level, impacting their future health. Children with public insurance show higher overweight/obesity rates than those with private insurance, spotlighting disparities in healthcare access and quality. Non-Hispanic Black children have a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity compared to Non-Hispanic White children, indicatingsystemic inequities.

3 The Income Divide Over 44% of children from families below the Federal Poverty Level are overweight or obese, indicating a strong link to socioeconomic factors. Approximately 22% of children from families above 400% of the FPL are overweight or obese, reflecting better access to healthier lifestyles. Virginia's ranking on income disparity highlights variations in overweight/obesity rates, showing that more needs to be done to bridge the gap. These ratios measure the magnitude of differences between overweight/obesity rates, enabling a clearer understanding of inequities affecting children. Disparity ratios help pinpoint more vulnerable/minority groups needing targeted interventions to reduce childhood obesity, resulting in improved outcomes.

4 Insurance Matters Over 43% of children with public insurance are overweight or obese, suggesting the necessity to integrate comprehensive wellness programs with social support. Around 27% of children with private insurance are overweight or obese, indicating the need to support consistent preventive health measures. Virginia ranks 15th on insurance disparity, revealing challenges and opportunities to equalize healthcare access and combat childhood obesity. The disparities among coverage types emphasizes the role of health coverage in shaping weight status and overall well-being of Virginia's youth. Efforts should focus on ensuring that children with different health coverage options receive equal access to preventive and therapeutic resources.

5 Race and Obesity Over 41% of non-Hispanic Black children are overweight or obese, showing a critical need for culturally competent and effective interventions. Around 27% of non-Hispanic White children are overweight or obese, signifying the necessity for broad-based strategies to promote healthy living. Virginia's rank of 11th on race disparity illustrates the urgency to reduce inequities in childhood obesity and promote inclusive health practices. The data underscores the need for comprehensive approaches that address social, economic, and environmental factors contributing to racial inequities. Targeted programs and community-based initiatives can help to reduce racial disparities, improving health outcomes for all children in Virginia.

6 Policy & School Standards Virginia has a snack and/or soda tax, aligning with 29 other states, indicating one step towards discouraging unhealthyfood choices and encouraging moderation. Virginia does not have a menu labeling law, contrasting with 2 states, suggesting an opportunity to empower consumers to make more informed decisions. Virginia does not have a Complete Streets policy, unlike 9 states, indicating the need to make streets safe and convenient for all users and support active lifestyles. Virginia lacks nutritional standards for school meals beyond USDA requirements, differentiating from 19 states, pointing out opportunities to enhance healthier school meals. Virginia does not limit access to competitive foods, setting it apart from 28 states, signalling a need to curb unhealthy food options and improve student health.

7 Child Care Licensing Virginia requires meals and snacks to follow meal requirements, like 29 other states, showcasing a commitment to providingnutritious options in care settings. Virginia's meal consistency, like 2 states, suggests an opportunity to promote healthy eating habits from a young age in childcare centers. Virginia does not have a policy prohibiting foods of low nutritional value, separating it from 12 states, indicating the need to restrict access to unhealthy options. Virginia lacks a policy on vending machines in child care centers, differing from 4 states, highlighting a chance to improve vending options with healthier choices. Virginia does not require vigorous/moderate physical activity, placing it apart from 8 states, reflecting the chance to ensure kids participate in structured exercises.

8 Taking Action Encourage more days of vigorous physical activity per week by providing safe spaces and structured programs, leading to improved cardiovascular health. Limit excessive screen time by offering alternative recreational activities and setting healthy boundaries, resulting in healthierhabits and better sleep. Implement targeted programs to support low-income families by ensuring access to nutritious foods, fostering an equitable environment. Ensure equitable access to quality healthcare and preventive services by establishing early interventions and creating inclusive healthcare ecosystems. Address root causes of racial inequities by developing culturally competent programs and increasing accessibility, leading to improved overall health in communities.

9 Healthy Eating Habits Emphasize balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains at home and in schools, laying the foundation for lifelong health. Reduce consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy snacks to prevent excess calorie intake, lowering chances of obesity and improving overall health. Provide comprehensive nutrition education for children and families to empower informed food choices, improving their knowledge and attitudes towards food. Promote family-friendly cooking classes to encourage home-cooked meals and healthier portion sizes, creating opportunities for family bondingand nutrition. Advocate for stronger school nutrition policies that limit unhealthy options and promote nutritious snacks, fostering a healthier environmentfor all children.

10 Active Living Encourage children to engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily to improve fitness, manage weight, and boost mental health, and foster positive habits. Promote active play and outdoor activities by organizing community events and creating safe spaces, helping children develop physical and social skills. Minimize sedentary activities by setting screen time limits and promoting active breaks, preventing negative health impacts. Engage in family-based physical activities like hiking, biking, or dancing to foster bonding and create shared healthy habits, developing lasting positive habits. Support community-based fitness programs to ensure equitable access to recreational resources and improve health outcomes for all community members.

11 Community Collaboration Engage diverse stakeholders including healthcare providers, educators, policymakers, and community organizations to create comprehensive strategies, resultingin broad impact. Increase public awareness through targeted campaigns to educate families about risks and preventive measures, empowering them. Advocate for supportive policies at the state and local levels to promote healthier food options and active living environments, establishing a healthierbase. Share resources and best practices to ensure effective implementation of evidence-based interventions, ensuring sustained impacts. Establish monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and improve strategies over time, helping sustained progress in combating childhood obesity in Virginia.

12 Economic Impact Reduce obesity-related healthcare costs by investing in prevention programs, easing the overall economic burden. Minimize productivity losses associated with obesity-related illnesses to ensure a healthier workforce, boosting productivity across industries. Allocate funding towards preventive programs to yield long-term savings and improve the health of the population, developing an efficient system. Promote healthy lifestyles to foster economic development by enhancing community wellbeing and promoting a vibrant, healthy society for all. Create a sustainable healthcare model by addressing root causes of obesity and investing in preventive services to help future generations.

13 Call To Action Support local initiatives that promote healthy eating and active living by volunteering time and donating resources. Promote educational resources on nutrition and physical activity to empower families to make informed choices and promote a healthierecosystem. Organize and participate in community events that celebrate health and wellness, enhancing community ties and promoting healthieractivities. Be a role model by practicing healthy habits and inspiring others to prioritize their wellbeing, impacting lives for generations to come. Advocate for policy changes that support healthier communities for children and families by promoting healthy eating habits and exercises.

14 The Path Forward By prioritizing the health and wellbeing of our children, we pave the way for a brighter and healthier future for generations to come. Together, we can create lasting change and transform the health landscape of Virginia, promoting a healthy ecosystem. Our commitment to addressing childhood obesity reflects our dedication to building a resilient and thriving community, improving living conditions. Let's continue to innovate and implement evidence-based strategies that support healthy lifestyles for every child in Virginia, paving the way for the future. With collective effort and unwavering dedication, we can achieve a healthier and more equitable future for all children, resulting in better standards of living.

15 Thank You Thank you for your time and attention. Your commitment to addressing childhood obesity in Virginia is invaluable. We appreciate your willingness to collaborate and contribute to a healthier future for our children and families. Your continued support is essential as we work together to implement effective strategies and create lasting change. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of countless children, ensuring they have the opportunityto thrive. Let us continue to work together towards a healthier tomorrow, where every child has the chance to live a long and healthy life.