Problem:

• 33.6% of the children in South Dakota were either overweight or obese during the 2008-09 school year.
• In the United States, one out of three children or adolescents age 2 to 19 has a weight problem.
• The medical costs of obesity reached an estimated $147 billion in 2008.
• The medical costs of diabetes reached an estimated $116 billion in 2008.
• There are no active programs in Sioux Falls that are focused solely on reducing childhood obesity.

The Cost of Childhood Obesity:

• Research out of Mount Sinai School of Medicine concludes that obesity-related hospitalizations for kids doubled between 1999 and 2005.
• The associated costs also doubled to an astounding more than $238 million per year.
• What’s worse, many of the conditions causing hospitalization were far beyond the reach of “traditional” obesity-related disorders like heart disease.
• Among the common admission reasons were psychiatric disorders, demonstrating again that obesity impacts much more than the body.
• Researchers conclude that investing in prevention is the only way to reduce the impact—financial and societal—of childhood obesity.

Thomson Medstat Research Brief:

Key Points:

• Children treated for obesity are roughly three times more expensive for the health system than the average insured child.
• Children diagnosed with obesity are two to three times more likely to be hospitalized.
• Children treated for obesity are far more likely to be diagnosed with mental health disorders or bone and joint disorders than non-obese children.

"Obesity rate rises for S. Dakota children"
Thom Gabrukiewicz  • tgabrukiew@argusleader.com  • December 19, 2009

The number of South Dakota schoolchildren who are overweight or obese has risen slightly, according to the state's latest height and weight survey.  For the 2008-09 school year, 33.6 percent of students were either overweight (17 percent) or obese (16.6 percent). In 2007-08, the number was 33.1 percent.

In the U.S., one in three children or adolescents age 2 to 19 has a weight problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  "We know that kids who are overweight or obese are at higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, liver disorders and other complications," said state nutritionist Kristin Biskeborn. "That's why it's disappointing to see even a small increase in the rates. Schools, parents, communities - we all have a lot of work to do if we're going to reduce child obesity and its health risks for our children."

The survey defines obese as above the 95th percentile body mass index-for-age when compared to children of the same age and gender. Overweight is between the 85th and 94th percentiles.  "It's a very complex issue, and all of our partners are working toward solutions," Biskeborn said. "We didn't get into this predicament overnight, and we won't get out of it overnight, either."

Across the state, she said, communities, school districts, child care providers and parents were coming together to address the issue.  "While the increase is a little disappointing, we're doing better than most states," Biskeborn said.

In June, the Sioux Falls School District completed a study that would change the way students study physical education and work toward a healthy lifestyle. Ideas gleaned from the study include fitness report cards sent to parents, structured games during recess, and gym classes where healthier students participate in one activity, while not-so-healthy students do another.  Those ideas are being further studied, said DeeAnn Konrad, the district's community relations supervisor. A guiding team made up of school and community leaders will bring its recommendations to the school board in February.  "We have eight goal areas being discussed," she said. "We're definitely moving toward completion."

The re-examination of health and wellness for Sioux Falls students comes three years after the school board voted to reduce the required number of physical education credits for graduation from two to one. The idea was to add more flexibility in scheduling classes.  However, the CDC, whose materials the district used for the recent self-review, suggests schools require daily physical education for all students through their senior year in high school.  "It is a community problem, it takes the community," Konrad said. "We're just one piece of the puzzle. We need to address the needs of children at school, at home and when they're participating in a program out in the community."

The medical costs of obesity reached an estimated $147 billion in 2008, according to the CDC, and the medical costs of diabetes were $116 billion. People with diagnosed diabetes have medical costs that are 2.3 times higher than those without the disease.  "To reduce childhood obesity, it is important that we create environmental and policy changes that promote physical activity and good nutrition," said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Andrea Sharma. "These include greater consumption of water and fruits and vegetables and lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods high in fats or added sugars."

In South Dakota, participating schools receive reports of their own data to use in improving nutrition and physical activity in their schools. That includes providing exercise equipment for students and offering healthy foods for snack time and parties.  "It's physical activity and it's nutrition," Biskeborn said. "We need to have parents, schools, communities be role models in this."

A total of 223 schools participated in the latest survey, Biskeborn said, and accounted for 29 percent of students in the state.  The annual South Dakota School Height Weight Report is a cooperative effort of the Departments of Health and Education to track child obesity. Schools have submitted student height and weight data for the survey each year since 1999.

Reach Thom Gabrukiewicz at 331-2320.