Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill on Monday to combat childhood obesity by doubling the amount of class time devoted to physical activity and nutrition programs for the state's youngest students.
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The amount of physical activity will increase from 60 minutes a week to 120 minutes a week. The requirement will apply to students in kindergarten through the fifth grade.
Henry said junk food and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle are taking a serious toll on the health of Oklahoma's young people.
Senate Bill 1186 will greatly strengthen physical activity for children, but much more remains to be done," he said. "Ultimately, parents are the most effective role models.
"I urge Oklahoma parents to remember that their lifestyles are of paramount importance when it comes to instilling their children with right ideas about nutrition and exercise."
Since 1980, the percentage of Oklahoma children who are overweight has more than doubled, and rates for teenagers have tripled.
Fifteen percent of Oklahoma teenagers are classified as severely overweight or obese, a 300 percent increase in 20 years.
On hand for the bill signing were the bill's main sponsors — Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Ann Coody, R-Lawton — as well as members of the Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition, which pushed for the legislation, Public Health Commissioner Mike Crutcher and Sandy Garrett, school superintendent.
Crutcher said increased physical activity will help children avoid becoming obese and developing such diseases as diabetes.
"We know that healthy bodies build strong minds," Garrett said. "We want all of Oklahoma to keep moving."
A 2004 study found that only 37 percent of Oklahoma school children were enrolled in physical education courses, compared to a national rate of 55 percent.
"The experts are telling us that obesity will soon replace tobacco use as the number one preventable cause of death and disability in the United States," said Anne Roberts, director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.
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Yes, it is a national problem, it's just more prevalent here. On one hand, you've got a big increase in fat people, and on the other hand, you've got 14.3 % of the population who are in danger of going to bed hungry every night......perhaps you feel that all these negative reports are one big conspiracy everybody else in the country has for Oklahoma?
Paul, how many times has a "poll" questioneer called an ask you a question about any of the items you have posted on this site and others. I have had zero "poll" questioneers call me and those within my wide circle of acquaintances have had the same expericence. So where do these folks get their info? Children and citizens who are over-weight and "obsese" is not just and Oklahoma problem, it is a national problem. .....have a day....
Easy cop out, right Paul, "in more ways than can be listed"....and read closer, I did not write that "I" cared/concerned for kids ( which I do ), but wrote "most parents" I know place their kids at the top of the most important list...us Okies are tolerant people, we have to be to put up with folks who see nothing but the negative...besides, I leave logic up to the Vulcans who call earth home...have a day......
Sorry JH, but your logic is flawed in more ways than can be listed. You talk about caring and concern for the kids, but look around you. DHS is running so smoothly and they never have anything to do, right? Nothing like having a 300 % jump in obesity rates either in kids, right?? Just what exactly do you consider a priority as far as the "most important" comment you made? If indeed, the children of this state are "most important" and the stats show results like this, then I'd hate to see something that wasn't considered "most important" by those same parents...
Oh great Paul of the Yukon, once the high cost of fuel begins to effect schools and parents, most of the students who ride or drive to school will be walking that 3-5 miles a day a lot of us use to...within two years, the weight problem will be gone....and by the way...Oklahoma is more than Oklahoma City...and most of the parents I know place their kids at the top of the "most important " list...Okies are the most tolerant people in the world...
It will go much like this. A relative insisted on taking her kids to the YMCA for exercise every night. My nephew always boasted about burning 2000 calories. But like clockwork, they would stop and each get a Little Caesars $5 pizza. This was after they already had supper. It was no wonder to me why their efforts at the Y never panned out.
Sparky (Mark), Oklahoma City - May 5, 2008 at 8:42 pm
This is a good start, but it also shows something about parenting in Oklahoma. Everybody complains when the government steps in and starts taking away individual freedoms, but here is a classic example of why they should step in. You can't teach a child to be lean and fit when as parents your pushing around a hundred or so extra pounds yourself. Nobody can deny that Okies are some of the fattest in the country, just look around you..and then look at the health record of this state. Parents don't take responsibility here, even though they all say they do....but the stories about obesity, drug abuse, gangs, etc paint a different picture. Get off your fat butts Oklahoma and start making a difference..quit worrying about something as petty as the NBA and start thinking about your and your kids futures....your looks and attitudes are slovenly and pathetic.....and the stats prove it, time and time again.....
Hey readers how many of you and your kids are overweight. Do you eat a balance meal with your kids? I'm all for preventive health care considering that's my tax dollars that pay for education any way. And I much rather making sure the schools teach proper eating habits,diet,exercise,lifetime fitness.
Hey about identifying parents who have their kids severe obese by giving them junk food and making those parents attend with their child after-school or put child neglect on them!
Our insurance is already sky-rocket for parents/kids who don't take care of themself and I'm sick of my insurance going up and coverage going down because some parent/child doesn't know how to exercise and eat right!
Maybe Ms. Anne Roberts can produce the names of some Oklahomans whose cause of death is listed as 'tobacco'. The Oklahoman certainly hasn't done so, even thought they have claimed as many as 6,000 Oklahomans die each year from this cause of death.
Concerned, Central Oklahoma - May 5, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Chris - I'm referring to the non-existant bills that will actually do something. How about the one that increases funding and resources? Or the one ones that actually target gang activity? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot the overwhelming success of "Hugs not Drugs". Yeah, that was an ideal model.
We had PE every day. My kids didn't. My grandchildren don't. I think its a great thing. As for being playtime, well it shouldn't be. We actually had to jump rope, do jumping jacks, run, we even did some elementary gymnastics. That's what the kids should be doing, and OHm, throw a little dance in there too.
Hey James, what crime bills are you referring to? Oklahoma already has one of the highest rates of incarceration in a nation that has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world.
So far all I see are negative comments about this bill but I think it is worth a shot since few parents are teaching their kids anything but how to buy takeout and let their kids sit on their duffs all day.
I wonder if the kids are getting any more exercise running from all the drive-by and gang banger shootings. Glad to see we're passing bills to get them all in shape. Not like we should be passing crime bills or anything.
Junk food at school doesn't cause the problem. It's Nintendo's, computers and cell phones. Kids get a little too relaxed after school. The school shouldn't have to be involved on the kids weight issues. Where are the parent's responsibility?
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Hey about identifying parents who have their kids severe obese by giving them junk food and making those parents attend with their child after-school or put child neglect on them!
Our insurance is already sky-rocket for parents/kids who don't take care of themself and I'm sick of my insurance going up and coverage going down because some parent/child doesn't know how to exercise and eat right!