Texas tackles childhood obesity

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There are 7,000 Texas children with Type II diabetes, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas vice president called it a death sentence.

"That means a shorter life span and years of medication," Dr. Eduardo Sanchez told the House Public Health committee on Monday.

Sanchez said there are three steps to changing the spiking obesity rate among children in Texas:

1. awareness
2. attitude
3. activity

"Life has changed," he said. "We are not as physically active as we were 30 years ago. We've taken movement of our bodies and out of our lives. Food is a lot less expensive, and there are a lot more options out there."

Sanchez attributes the higher cost of fruits and vegetables and the lower cost of sugars, fats and salts as one of the reasons obesity is disproportionally affecting poorer and minority communities.

He told lawmakers policies need to change in schools, and even with infants, in order to prevent the rising medical costs among children and adults.

"There's an old bumper sticker saying, 'It's easier to grow a child than to fix an adult,'" he said.

Yet, changing school policies will be an uphill battle. The recommended time for daily activity is 60 minutes. Though the state legislature passed a law mandating physical education in schools, classes are still only 30 minutes.

Sanchez said the definition of "normal" has changed when it comes to what children weigh. The average body mass index has increased dramatically.

"The number of overweight and obese children has tripled in the last 30 years," he said.

The Public Health committee will hear from professionals about the fiscal impact of obesity on the state and possible solutions to the problem. A report will be put together in preparation for the 2011 legislative session.