Healthcare
The 1998-2000 cost estimates of obesity for Arizona estimated by the Centers for Disease Control are $752 Million/annually, including $242 Million in Medicaid costs alone. Unhealthy weight is clearly an expensive health problem leading to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease and stroke, in addition to musculoskeletal disorders. Given that obesity is such a significant and costly health problem, many healthcare providers are working to support healthy weight.
Yet it is difficult to get data on the prevalence of childhood obesity and individual children are often not routinely measured. There is no coordinated statewide surveillance system for all of Arizona's children's heights and weights. Many school districts have reduced or eliminated school nurses. Changes in body mass index (BMI) are not tracked on individual or community levels.
The American Academy of Pediatrics - Arizona Chapter's Obesity Committee has been active to promote evidence-based practices and delivering tools and resources to Arizona's pediatricians, in addition to healthy messages throughout the community. The AAP-AZ Chapter has developed the 5-2-1-0 AZ Way To Go! Toolbox. This toolbox will assist Pediatricians prevention, assessment, and treatment efforts of childhood obesity. The toolbox provides information about BMI screening and information about how to calculate BMI percentile, references and resources, and concise and easy to remember messages to help encourage smart lifestyle choices:
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5 - servings of fruits and vegetables per day
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2 - less than 2 hours of screen time (computers, TV, video games, cell phones)
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1 - at least one hour of physical activity
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0 - zero or almost zero sweetened beverages such as soda, sports or energy drinks
Finally, breastfeeding has many benefits, including reduced obesity as children get older. This is just one more reason to support breastfeeding.
Potential Policy Improvements
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Fund one school nurse for every 750 students and measure heights and weights for every child, tracking them from year to year.
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Healthcare providers should refer overweight children to a registered dietitian when appropriate.
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Promote use of "Tool Box" among healthcare professionals.
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Promote breastfeeding and baby friendly hospitals.
Resources/Literature