Children in southwestern and southeastern Virginia are more likely to be overweight than those living in the northern and central regions of the state, according to a new survey.
Statewide, 22 percent of Virginia youths ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese, the report shows.
"That is tragic, and it is condemning a generation of young people to an unhealthy path for a lifetime," Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell said yesterday at a statewide conference in Henrico County on preventing childhood obesity.
Yesterday's conference, held at the Westin Richmond Hotel, attracted educators, medical professionals, public health experts and others to talk about reversing an obesity trend that might be dooming a generation of young people to poor health.
The Virginia survey results, presented by Virginia Health Commissioner Karen Remley, are based on responses of 2,501 youths ages 10-17 contacted from December to March. Surveyors collected weight and height information to make estimates of body mass index, a measure of body fat
According to the responses, 17 percent in the central region, including the Richmond area, are overweight or obese.
In comparison, 28 percent of southwestern Virginia children are overweight or obese, 24 percent in the southeastern region and 20 percent in the northern region.
Statewide, 68 percent are at a healthy weight while 3 percent are underweight. Seven percent didn't provide enough information to make a determination.
McDonnell, one of nine children in her family, told her own personal story of being called fat by siblings when growing up.
"I can still vividly remember my loving sisters chiding me on being fat. And my precious dad, bless his heart, trying to come to my defense by saying 'She's not fat, she's pleasingly plump,' and the complete embarrassment I felt from both," McDonnell said. "It made me stubborn enough that throughout my adult life I have always strived to never compromise the choices I've made for my personal health and weight maintenance."
Other surveys have put Virginia's childhood overweight and obesity rate higher. In a 2009 report that ranks states by obesity rates, Trust for America's Health reported 31 percent of Virginia children were overweight or obese.
An analysis of federal health data suggests childhood obesity rates have remained steady for the past decade but are still triple the 1980 rate. The one exception in this leveling off is in boys ages 6 to 19, who still may be getting heavier.
Other results from the survey:
Sixty-eight percent of youths believe they are at the right weight.
Only 4 percent met federal guidelines for daily intake of fruits and vegetables.
Seventy-three percent eat fast food at least once a week.
Sixty-six percent exercised one hour a day on four or more days during a week.
Almost half watch two or more hours of TV on an average school day, and 33 percent play two or more hours of video games.
Dr. Anjali Jain, a pediatrician in Washington, said interventions don't necessarily directly focus on obesity.
"Having family meals is good for families as well as [preventing] obesity. Turning off the television is good for social relationships as well as obesity," she said.
Tammie Smith writes for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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