Latest news with #StateofChildhoodObesity
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers propose physical fitness test in schools. How fat, obese are Ohio's kids?
Ohio lawmakers want to bring back the Presidential Physical Fitness Test to the state's schools. The proposal would require students in grades 1 through 12 to take an annual fitness exam modeled after the test, which started in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and was discontinued in 2012. Ohio lawmakers say today's children need more physical fitness. "In a time when sedentary lifestyles, screen time, and childhood obesity are on the rise, this legislation sends a clear message: physical fitness is not optional, it is essential," said Elgin Rogers, D-Toledo, one of House Bill 322's sponsors. So how heavy are Ohio's children? Here's a look at the state's childhood obesity rates. The rate of obesity in Ohio is 18.3% for children ages 6 to 17, according to the State of Childhood Obesity report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, slightly higher than the national average of 17%. The study uses data from the National Survey of Children's Health in 2022 and 2023. Ohio ranks No. 17 in the nation for obese children, better than Wisconsin (No. 16) at 18.4% but worse than South Carolina (No. 18) at 18.1%. Topping the list is Mississippi, which has a childhood obesity rate of 25%, according to the report. Looking at childhood obesity rates for different age groups in the report, Ohio is No. 12 in the nation for obesity among high school students with a rate of 16.8%. The report uses data from 2019 for that statistic. For children ages 10-17, the obesity rate is 16.2%, 27th in the nation, using data from 2022. And for children ages 2-4 that participate in the state's Women, Infants and Children program, the obesity rate is 12.5%, using data from 2020, putting the Buckeye State at No. 42 in the nation in that age group. According to Harvard Men's Health Watch, a publication of Harvard Medical School, the fitness test has undergone many revisions over the decades. However, the version most people are familiar with consists of a one-mile run, pull-ups or push-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run and sit-and-reach. "The aim was to assess cardiovascular fitness, upper-body and core strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility," Matthew Sloan writes in the article. The test was discontinued in 2012 by President Barack Obama in favor of a different method, the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. The new program "modernized fitness education" by emphasizing student health, goal setting and personal progress. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio lawmakers eye physical fitness test return. Childhood obesity rates
Fox News
04-06-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Mobile teaching kitchens roll out in West Virginia to fight state's high obesity rate
Gov. Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia (R) is continuing to pave the way in the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, launching yet another healthy initiative. In an appearance on "Fox & Friends First" on Wednesday morning, the governor discussed West Virginia Health Right's mobile teaching kitchens. The nonprofit "clinics on wheels" will travel across the state to demonstrate healthy cooking tips, share nutrition information with residents and conduct health exams such as blood pressure readings and body mass index checks. The governor opened his home, inviting West Virginians to the mansion to allow families to see how to practice healthy habits on their own. "People came by and learned that you can eat very [healthily] for a very reasonable price," he said. "And it's not that hard to cook [this food] and have it taste really good as well," he added. West Virginia has the highest childhood obesity rate in America, at over 42%. That's according to the State of Childhood Obesity organization. I was pleased to join WV Health Right to unveil their Mobile Teaching Kitchen to help educate West Virginians on how to prepare healthy meals at home. Making healthy food choices is important to making West Virginia healthy again. "Here in West Virginia, we're trying to make West Virginia healthy again," Morrisey said. "Because unfortunately, we've led the way [on] a lot of the disease states that have really hurt our state, whether obesity or diabetes or stroke or many other items." He added, "We want to make sure that we reverse those bad trends and you have to start one step at a time or one good bite at a time." Morrisey shared that the program is just another step in his four MAHA pillars for the Mountain State. The state has defined the pillars as the following: clean up the food; find purpose, find health, move your body; change your life; and reward healthy choices. "We've encouraged people to get out and exercise and I'm trying to lead by example, you know, every day trying to walk over 10,000 steps and just encourage people to go out and walk," said Morrisey in part. The state plans to designate official "Mountaineer Mile trails" in its 32 state parks that have hiking trails. "We're getting a lot of traction with our Mountaineer Mile, and everyone knows the importance of getting out and working and walking," Morrisey previously told Fox News Digital. "That's really starting to gain a lot of strength in West Virginia." Another day, another #MountaineerMile, and some relaxation, in one of our many beautiful lakes and state parks. #WVStateParks #StonewallResort Getting Americans healthy again requires a multipronged approach to reducing rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke and congestive heart failure, according to the governor. "You're taking the crap out of the food, you're incentivizing people to eat good food … making sure people are working and have purposeful lives, and then we're also encouraging people to go out and exercise," Morrisey previously told Fox News Digital.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Mercilessly Fat Shames West Virginia Governor at Live Joint Appearance
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared in West Virginia on Friday, March 28, to discuss the state's health initiatives — but also made a few rude remarks at Governor Patrick Morrisey's expense. During the joint live appearance, they spoke about the administration having West Virginia lead the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement and save federal tax dollars as well, WVVA reports. Morrisey, 57, introduced Kennedy, 70, to the stage for the event. During his speech, Kennedy began to fat-shame Gov. Morrisey, as seen in a video published by The New York Post. He made several comments about the Republican politician's weight, even suggesting public monthly weigh-ins. Kennedy told the crowd he and Morrisey met during the early stages of the Trump transition. 'I said to Governor Morrisey the first time I saw him, I said, 'You look like you ate Governor Morrisey,' ' Kennedy recalled. Related: RFK Jr. Says 'This Will Be a Painful Period' as Trump Administration Cuts 10K Jobs from Federal Health Agencies 'There was a lot of talk about getting healthy again, and I'm very happy that he's invited me to be his personal trainer,' he said before the crowd laughed. 'I'm going to put him on a really rigorous regimen,' Kennedy continued. 'And we're going to put him on a carnivore diet.' Kennedy then asked the crowd if Morrisey should do a 'public weigh-in once a month.' He added that if Morrisey lost 30 pounds, he would return to West Virginia to celebrate and do a public weigh-in with him. 'You're welcome, Denise,' Kennedy said, referring to West Virginia's first lady. But Morrisey joked back, 'That may be a little more than I bargained for.' Related: RFK Jr. Wants to Let Bird Flu Spread on Farms. Meanwhile the Pandemic Response Office Is Down to 1 Staffer In his opening remarks, Morrisey said West Virginia ranks at the bottom for several health metrics. The state has the highest obesity rating in the country and is the second state to have the lowest life expectancy rates, according to the State of Childhood Obesity and the World Population Review, respectively. Morrisey plans to implement the 'Four Pillars of a Healthy West Virginia.' The first pillar is 'Clean Up the Food,' and adheres to the recently signed legislation that bans certain dyes in public school lunches, per WVVA. It will eventually impact all foods in the state. The second pillar is to get West Virginians back to work by 'expanding the current mandatory employment and training requirements necessary to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] benefits,' the Senate bill reads. The third focuses on getting residents to move their bodies, per WVVA. The fourth and final pillar is 'Reward Healthy Food Choices.' He said that SNAP recipients will need more nutritious and quality foods and SNAP will need to be 'realigned' with those goals. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The press conference concluded with Morrisey signing the request for a waiver that the state can bar citizens from using SNAP to purchase soda, per WVVA. Read the original article on People
