Most of my favorite memories from childhood include some form of exercise – jumping rope, climbing a tree, playing tag, etc. I never thought of it as a work out though. It was my form of entertainment, how I used my energy. Times have changed since then, and physical activity and spending time outdoors isn’t as popular as it once was. Technology tends to keep kids inside and stationary, leading to many health problems for our youngest Hoosiers. In recognition of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, I would like to take a moment to highlight the importance of helping our children be healthy and active. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration reports that almost one third of Hoosier children age 5 and younger have a body weight that is greater than 85 percent of their peers. At least half of those children are considered obese and are at a great risk for health and self-esteem problems later in life. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, during an average year Hoosiers pay $3.5 billion in obesity-related medical costs. If the current obesity trends continue on this path, total health care costs related to being obese or overweight will more than double every decade by 2039, equaling about 16 percent of health care costs. Children are especially susceptible to lifelong obesity-related problems, and we need to address them now. Many risk factors associated with obesity are now being found in children. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea – these are just a few of the health issues that are typically associated with adults but are now being diagnosed more frequently at the pediatrician’s office. We should make a concentrated effort to prevent these problems before they negatively impact the lives of our children. There are many steps we can take to help our kids stay healthy and active. Making sure they consume a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables instead of high-fat, high-sugar and high-sodium foods and encouraging them to drink more water can go a long way to increasing overall health. In addition, putting a limit on the amount of time spent in front of a television or computer screen and promoting outdoor activities like riding bikes, walking the dog or playing sports with other kids in the area will not only get them active, but it might also help them cultivate hobbies that can help them have a healthy lifestyle for years to come. For more information on how to help prevent childhood obesity, visit www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/4822.htm. Now is the time to make a difference in the health of our children. Let’s work together to make Indiana a healthier, happier place for Hoosiers to live and call home. -30-
Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) represents portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
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