Incidence of Obesity and Associated Health Risks in the District of Columbia Public Schools

Abstract

A Youth Risk Behavior Study (YRBS) was conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the District of Columbia (DC) Public Schools and the DC Department of Health. Twenty‐seven percent of DC high school students were either overweight or obese with BMI's over 25. Eighty percent did not meet recommended levels of physical activity. These values are higher than corresponding values for the national average. Physical activity is important for both short‐ and long‐term maintenance of normal body weight. Physical activity appears to have an independent effect on health‐related outcomes in addition to weight control. These negative health conditions may substantially increase the risk of morbidity from hypertention, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, asthma, respiratory problems and cancer. Overweight youngsters are permitting TV, video games, and indiscriminate eating to take the place of regular, controlled regimes including vigorous physical activity accompanied with intelligent food selection.A proposal has been developed for the study of obesity among high school children grades 9 through 12 in the DC public schools, via a survey of 3 schools from poorer neighborhoods, and 3 schools from wealthier areas (1200 subjects). Heights, weights, BMI's and blood pressure will be recorded. Faculty and students from the University of the District of Columbia and Howard University will officiate in an attempt to interrupt these negative behavior patterns.Funded by Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI).