[ OUR OPINION ]
THERE is little consolation to be taken in the fact that Hawaii's adult obesity rate is lower than the nationwide median. Although a state-by-state survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that 14.9 percent of the state's population is considered obese as compared to the national rate of 19.6 percent, the increase in Hawaii from 8.4 percent since 1991 is alarming. Hawaii children
live large on fatty foods
THE ISSUE Hawaii is below the national median for obese adults, but the Health Department is concerned about overweight children.
The survey, conducted for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the year 2000, did not count children, more of whom are becoming overweight and heading for obesity in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Health. Recent research of public school children showed that 19 to 25 of every 100 were overweight, while before 1980 about 4 to 6 were considered as such.
Because overweight children tend to stay that way as they grow into adulthood, they should receive special attention as parents and government focus on the problem. Even if weight control is primarily a matter of individual choice, every effort should be made to help young people.
The Health Department's own estimate places 50 percent of adults in Hawaii in the category of overweight, meaning they are about 10 pounds over normal, if not obese, which is generally defined as weighing at least 30 pounds more than normal. It has recently begun a series of television ads, encouraging Hawaii residents to eat healthy and exercise.
Change may be difficult because of a food-oriented culture, especially familiar in Hawaii where celebrations and special occasions are commonly marked by an abundance of food. Meanwhile, fewer parents find time in their busy lives to prepare healthy, balanced meals for their families. More often than not, dinner is a grab of fast-food burger and fries, pizza or take-out plate lunch, all of which are loaded with carbohydrates and fats. Oversized proportions also contribute to overeating and weight gain.
The CDC survey showed that fewer Hawaii residents smoke and binge drink and more are using their seat belts. The state also did well in increasing preventive measures, with more people seeking cholesterol, colorectal and cervical cancer screenings and mammograms. However, that good news is overshadowed by the dismaying data of our overgrowing population.
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