Obesity 'Report Card' for States Released
Obesity 'Report Card' for States Released
May 3, 2005 -- America's 2005 obesity "report card" shows some progress among states but plenty of room for improvement.
Only one "A" was awarded. California took that honor for its attempt to control childhood obesity. However, California's overall grade for its efforts to address the obesity epidemic (not just among school children) was a "B."
About a quarter of states earned a failing grade for efforts to control childhood obesity, the report card states. "Given the importance of establishing healthy habits early in life, the results are very disappointing," write the researchers.
Here are the grades for state overall efforts to control obesity (states listed in alphabetical order):
The report card also gave grades for state efforts regarding childhood obesity:
The report card comes from the University of Baltimore's Obesity Initiative. Grades were based on legislation introduced and/or passed by the states on eight topics: nutrition standards; vending machine usage; body mass index (BMI) measured in school; recess and physical education; obesity programs and education; obesity research; obesity treatment in health insurance; and obesity commissions. The researchers looked at each state's most recent legislative session.
To receive an "A," states had to successfully pass a law related to obesity. Points were awarded if legislation was introduced but not passed. "Introducing legislation at least indicates some awareness and the presence of a will directed to controlling obesity," notes the report card.
Obesity 'Report Card' for States Released
Some States Making Progress, but Only California Earns an 'A'
May 3, 2005 -- America's 2005 obesity "report card" shows some progress among states but plenty of room for improvement.
Only one "A" was awarded. California took that honor for its attempt to control childhood obesity. However, California's overall grade for its efforts to address the obesity epidemic (not just among school children) was a "B."
About a quarter of states earned a failing grade for efforts to control childhood obesity, the report card states. "Given the importance of establishing healthy habits early in life, the results are very disappointing," write the researchers.
Overall Grades
Here are the grades for state overall efforts to control obesity (states listed in alphabetical order):
- A: No states.
- B: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Washington
- C: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
- D: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin
- F: Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Grades for Childhood Obesity
The report card also gave grades for state efforts regarding childhood obesity:
- A: California
- B: Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia
- C: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia
- D: Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Vermont
- F: Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Making the Grade - or Not
The report card comes from the University of Baltimore's Obesity Initiative. Grades were based on legislation introduced and/or passed by the states on eight topics: nutrition standards; vending machine usage; body mass index (BMI) measured in school; recess and physical education; obesity programs and education; obesity research; obesity treatment in health insurance; and obesity commissions. The researchers looked at each state's most recent legislative session.
To receive an "A," states had to successfully pass a law related to obesity. Points were awarded if legislation was introduced but not passed. "Introducing legislation at least indicates some awareness and the presence of a will directed to controlling obesity," notes the report card.
