Cut the fat: Philadelphians
have a lot to lose

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

When it comes to state obesity rankings, a recent study shows that Pennsylvania hovers in the middle.
About a quarter of its residents weigh way more than they should, making it the state with the 23rd highest rate of obesity. It may come as little surprise, considering that Philadelphia was deemed "America’s Fattest City" in 2000 by Men’s Fitness magazine.
But with citywide health programs, a fitness push in the school district and efforts by legislators to address obesity at the state level, Philly appears fit to fight the battle of the bulge.
Trust For America’s Health (TFAH), a national non-profit that lobbies for health-risk prevention programs, released the state-by-state obesity rankings for the fourth year in a row on Aug. 27. The group compiled the data through phone surveys in which individuals self-reported their height and weight. A formula using the two measurements determines a person’s body mass index, or BMI.
A healthy BMI is between 18 and 24.9. To give it scope, a woman who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds has a BMI of 24.0. BMIs between 25 and 29.9 indicate that someone is overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher means a person is obese.
Obesity in children, whose BMI scores are plotted as percentiles, was calculated in the TFAH study for the first time this year — Pennsylvania’s youths come in 29th among the country.
TFAH spokeswoman Laura Segal said America’s collective growing waist line is attributed to a greater convenience and availability of non-nutritious food, an inaccessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in low-income comminutes, and a more sedentary lifestyle.
"It’s the dramatic changes in lifestyle in the past fifteen to twenty years, the amount and quality of food, the doubling of portions of foods in restaurants," she said.
The TFAH folks think a comprehensive approach, including support from federal and state governments, is needed to give individuals more than a fat chance of staying fit.
State Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-173rd dist.) thinks obesity is costing residents their quality-of-life and tax dollars. In 2003, $4.1 billion went toward medical expenditures related to obesity in the state, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Taxpayers paid half the bill through the government’s Medicare and Medicaid health programs.
To help ease the burden for taxpayers and encourage fitness, the politician has introduced legislation for a Healthy Living Tax Credit that would reimburse residents up to $1,000 for anything related to physical fitness. That could be gym memberships, yoga classes or fitness equipment. Kids are included too, so parents could write off Little League registration fees and uniform costs.
"It would help people manage their weight and help the commonwealth manage their bottom line," McGeehan said. "It’s a win-win."
State Rep. Tony Payton Jr. (D-179th dist.) has sponsored legislation targeting children’s health. House Bill 908, up for its second consideration before the full House of Representatives, would require schools with high percentages of low-income students to provide breakfast programs. It would also give incentives to schools that adopt the recommended guidelines for nutritional standards when serving school food.
The city has also taken the growing trend of obesity to heart. A citywide ban on trans fats, which are used in frying and cooking and are suspected of increasing the risks for heart disease, became effective in restaurants Sept. 2.
Steps to a Healthier Philadelphia targets minority, low-income and disabled individuals in developing better approaches to nutrition and fitness.
And groups like Philadelphia Green, run through the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, are striving to get free or low-cost, locally grown fruits and vegetables to low-income residents.
The School District of Philadelphia, which is required by the state to measure students’ BMI, also wants to get nutritious food and fitness into the lives of its 200,000 students.
The School Reform Commission (SRC) has implemented a districtwide policy that eliminates all sodas and other sweetened drinks from vending machines and cafeterias. The EAT. RIGHT. NOW. Nutrition Education Program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Stamp Program, teaches healthy eating through activities and games at schools where 50 percent or more of students get free lunch.
The district, in conjunction with Temple University, is running a three-year study organized by the National Institutes of Health to stop Type 2 diabetes at six schools, including Woodrow Wilson Middle and Benjamin Franklin Elementary schools.
"We’re increasing the amount of physical education and increasing amount of time they are active, adjusting foods that are offered in cafeterias," said Bettyann Creighton, director of health and safety for the district.
The district is also trying to offer students more activities before, during and after school hours. A grant-funded program allows schools to take advantage of structured recess, which involves acquiring equipment, painting the blacktop and revamping fields.
Sports teams in primary and secondary schools have increased to more than 1,000 and special programs like the Ed Snider Youth Hockey sessions entice kids to take free ice hockey lessons.
"That’s one small part of the formula," said school district spokesman Fernando Gallard. "It’s having the ability to get kids to join a team and develop a lifelong love of a sport."
Other options are available for adults and children who are at-risk for obesity. Holy Redeemer Health System runs the 6-week KidsZone program for children ages 10 to 14. In its eight-year-run, it’s helped about 200 children, according to spokeswoman Candice Ryan. Redeemer also runs programs like Trim-a-Weigh and This Weight’s for You: Weight Management for Women.
The 6,000-member Northeast YMCA offers an array of fitness classes for children and adults. In 2006, it started H.I.P. Kids to target children ages 8 and older who are at risk for obesity. The Y has also lowered the age for children who want to work out in the fitness center from 13 to 10, according to Donna Kirn, program director at the facility.
"It’s so important to keep them active," she said.
The Y is also part of Activate America, a program created to respond to the country’s health problems. On Sept. 22, local Ys will kick off "America on the Move Week," which seeks to inspire 1 million people to collectively take 10 billion steps. Participants will receive pedometers to track their progress during an opening event at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Segal, the Trust For America’s Health spokeswoman, said it will take help from all sides to address the obesity epidemic here and throughout the country.
"We’re hopeful as this grows as a national problem that the government, employers, schools and communities take notice," Segal said. ••
For information on upcoming nutrition and fitness events and classes, visit www.phillyhealthinfo.org
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com


Healthy Living events and resources

September and October — Nazareth H.E.A.R.T. screenings. Staff will assess blood pressure, cholesterol and other risk factors. Call 1-866-NAZARETH for more information.
Sept. 22 – America on the Move Week at local YMCAs. Find out how you can be one of 10 billion people to monitor your steps throughout the week. Call the Northeast YMCA at 215-632-0100.
Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. - Health fair sponsored by state Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.). Event will be held at Excel Academy, 6600 Bustleton Ave., and will include health screenings and information. For more information, call 717-787-1141.
Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. – Fannie Mae health fair at Pepsi Cola Bottling Corp., 11701 Roosevelt Blvd. Contact Tabitha Kuech at 1-302-761-8685 for more information.
Oct. 14 - Northeast Philly 5-mile Run and 2-mile Walk, sponsored by Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-169th dist.). Register in advance. Registration starts at 7:15 a.m. at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Visit www.NEPYA.org to register.
Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Healthy Living Expo, sponsored by state Rep. Michael McGeehan (D-173rd dist.). Event takes place at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, call 215-685-8714.
Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. - Heart Healthy Holiday Feasting at Holy Redeemer Health System. A local chef will teach you how to lighten up your holiday cooking. To sign up, call 1-800-818-4747. ••
For more information on upcoming health events, visit www.phillyhealthinfo.org