A new study by the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease found that 33.9 percent of Ohioans are currently obese and that number is expected to rise to 50.0 percent by 2018!
"More than one in three children in the state is overweight or obese and more than two out of three adults is overweight or obese so these rankings are not surprising to us," said Ann Nevar, Coordinator for the Center for Child Health and Policy at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospitals.
Nevar, along with Dr. Leona Cuttler, and a team of doctors, just introduced the "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" Bill to the State Senate Health Committee.
They say the time to act is now, because according to the study, obesity could end up costing the average Ohioan more than $1,800 a year in medical and insurance cost.
The bill would require school cafeterias to offer healthier foods, like less soda, more water, and smaller portions.
It would also require 30 minutes of physical activity everyday and Body Mass Index screenings for children in school.
Nevar says less affluent parts of the state need even more assistance.
" Ohio has three large cities that have fairly high poverty rates, areas that have high poverty are known to have decreased access to nutrious foods and often those populations report less physical activity."
The "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" Bill will now go to committees for discussion.
"More than one in three children in the state is overweight or obese and more than two out of three adults is overweight or obese so these rankings are not surprising to us," said Ann Nevar, Coordinator for the Center for Child Health and Policy at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospitals.
Nevar, along with Dr. Leona Cuttler, and a team of doctors, just introduced the "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" Bill to the State Senate Health Committee.
They say the time to act is now, because according to the study, obesity could end up costing the average Ohioan more than $1,800 a year in medical and insurance cost.
The bill would require school cafeterias to offer healthier foods, like less soda, more water, and smaller portions.
It would also require 30 minutes of physical activity everyday and Body Mass Index screenings for children in school.
Nevar says less affluent parts of the state need even more assistance.
" Ohio has three large cities that have fairly high poverty rates, areas that have high poverty are known to have decreased access to nutrious foods and often those populations report less physical activity."
The "Healthy Choices for Healthy Children" Bill will now go to committees for discussion.
