Coalition for Active Children

Healthy kids becoming healthy adults.

Mission

To create a healthy future by engaging children, youths and families in making healthy choices throughout their lives.

COACH (Chesterfield Coalition for Active Children) History

In 2002, a group of individuals concerned about the health and future of the children and youth in Chesterfield County, met to explore the feasibility of addressing childhood obesity as a community.  While efforts to address the issue were already in various stages of implementation, the group determined it was necessary to organize as a coalition for a more synergistic effect.  From this vision, COACH was formed bringing together community partners including public schools, community groups, faith-based organizations, local businesses, government, health agencies and parents.

Since that time, COACH has developed a strong and active coalition.  COACH obtained Incorporation in 2006 and is currently applying for Federal 501(c) 3 tax exempt status.

Extent of the Epidemic

Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents.   Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (NHANES) 1971–1974 to 2003–2006 show increases in overweight among all age groups:

• Among preschool-aged children, aged 2–5, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.0 percent to 12.4 percent.
• Among school-aged children, aged 6–1, the prevalence of overweight increased from 4.0 percent to 17.0 percent.
• Among school-aged adolescents, aged 12–19, the prevalence of overweight increased from 6.1 percent to 17.6 percent.

The following graph shows trends in childhood overweight based on NHANES data for various age groups, beginning with NHANES I (1971–1974) and ending with NHANES 2003–2006 (the most recently available published data).

Locally, data collected annually by Chesterfield County Health Department through health screenings in public schools document that more than three out of 10 children are either overweight or at risk of being overweight.

Contributing Factors to the Epidemic

Why is this happening to our children? The easy answer is that they are eating more without increasing their physical activity, or they have become less active without reducing their caloric intake. Either scenario will result in weight gain. Unfortunately, many kids are doing both – eating more and exercising less – and therefore gaining weight even faster.

There are other reasons for this disturbing trend. Due to busy schedules, families are consuming   “ready to eat,” pre-prepared meals, usually higher in fat and calories compared to more nutritious, home-cooked meals. The consumption of sodas, fruit juices with added sugar and snack foods also has significantly increased, along with portion sizes.

These and other issues are leading to an epidemic of obesity and a physical, mental and emotional health challenge that may become one of the most important of the century.

Adverse Health Effects

Obese children and adolescents are at risk for health problems during their youth and as they grow into adults. For example, during their youth, obese children and adolescents are more likely to have risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes.

Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults. One study found that approximately 80 percent of children who were overweight at age 10–15 years were obese adults at age 25 years.  Another study found that 25 percent of obese adults were overweight as children.  The latter study also found that if children are overweight before the age of 8, obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe.

Intervention

In addition to encouraging physical activity, children should avoid too much sedentary time. Although quiet time for reading and homework is fine, children should limit the time they watch television, play video games, or surf the Internet to no more than two hours daily. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP, does not recommend television viewing for children ages two or younger.  Children should be encouraged to find fun activities to do with family members or on their own that simply involve more activity.