When radio listeners tuned into the nationally syndicated Russ Parr morning show on Friday, August 6, they heard Dr. Karen Remley speak to them about childhood obesity and the solutions to the growing problem. The Russ Parr Show and Richmond’s well known on air personality, Clovia Lawrence with IPower 92.1 invited Dr. Remley to speak to Russ Parr fans for nearly 10 minutes. The live interview took place on stage at the Richmond Coliseum in front of hundreds of young people with thousands listening on more than 20 stations throughout the U.S. The Parr show visited Richmond as part of its nationwide bus tour. The morning program is known for its interviews, rap and hip hop music. After listening to some of the latest music and enjoying the fans show off the latest dances, Dr. Remley sat across from Russ Parr and his co-hosts to share her concerns about obesity and young people. She said 1 in 5 children in Virginia are obese or overweight. The commissioner encouraged everyone to get active; adding that dancing is a great exercise for weight loss or weight management.
Recently the commissioner joined First Lady Maureen
McDonnell and Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth
Executive Director, Marty Kilgore in unveiling Virginia
statistics about obesity among youth. (You can read more
about the survey below.)
In response to the challenges, the commissioner is traveling the state educating Virginians about efforts such as The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program that promotes physical activity, obesity prevention, and healthy communities. VDH Obesity Prevention Coordinator, Heidi Hertz, said “the agency’s outreach efforts, that include the partnership with the VA Foundation for Healthy Youth, VA Department of Transportation, and VA Department of Education on SRTS has provided a fun catalyst that is creating movement in communities and promoting active transportation, safety, and health.”
You can learn more by logging onto the following sites:
VDH is also participating in the National Healthy People 2020 campaign. For more information go to the following links:
Results of first Va. Childhood Obesity Survey announced at statewide conference
ONLINE PRESS RESOURCES FOR THIS STORY, INCLUDING HIGH-RES PHOTOS AND CHARTS, CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.healthyyouthva.org/survey.asp
RICHMOND- One in five young people ages 10 to 17 in Virginia is obese or overweight, according to the results of the first Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey, commissioned by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY). The highest rates of childhood obesity in the Commonwealth were found in Southwest Virginia.
“This research provides current estimates of overweight [status] and obesity among youth in Virginia, as well as information concerning eating habits and physical activity levels that will help inform the development of strategies, programs and policies throughout the Commonwealth,” says Virginia Health Commissioner and VFHY Board of Trustees member Dr. Karen Remley, who delivered the survey results at VFHY’s first annual Weight of the State Conference on Tuesday, May 18.
The survey questioned 2,501 Virginians between the ages of 10 to 17.
Among the Virginia Childhood Obesity Survey’s other key findings:
Obesity remains the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, behind tobacco use. More than 60 percent of Virginia adults are obese or overweight. Childhood obesity can lead to serious health problems once seen only in adults, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnea.
Childhood obesity or overweight status is determined by the body mass index for age, a statistical measurement tool that compares a child’s weight and height for their age.