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I was hearing, at my last DFA (Democracy For America) meeting, that this year one out of five Orange County residents are in danger of going hungry – that’s up from one out of six last year – and 35% of them are children. And our Second Harvest Food Bank has been nearly empty since the end of March.
Depressing. But we can help this weekend. THIS SATURDAY, Campbell Soup Company and the US Postal Service are “partnering once again with the National Association of Letter Carriers to sponsor STAMP OUT HUNGER, the ‘nation’s largest single-day food drive.’ And YOUR participation in this cause is instrumental to its success!
How can you help?
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Place bags filled with non-perishable food items next to your mailbox, SATURDAY MORNING!
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Your mailman/maillady will pick them up and deliver them to local food banks!
“It’s that easy to make a big difference. For more information visit
[DFA members workin’ at the Food Bank!]
Thanks for the heads up.
Hey, it’s their fault they’re hungry, so screw ’em, right, Geoff?
I support this program and hope people give food for the banks BUT there is more to the story. If child in Santa Ana unified gets at least two meals a day free (year round) and inside nearly every home in the poorest cities in the O.C. you will find families with enough spare cash for cable t.v., cell phones, beer, junk food and more. That said, I’d rather donate food and sleep knowing I”ve done all I can.
I would like to know how “hungry” is defined. I get hungry every day around noon. Am I one of the five?
Since nobody starves in America, this is just another stat cooked up to justify a government food distribution bureaucracy.
Go to your local church. They usually have more food available than they will ever be able to give away.
Travis.
Not only do we have a Lords Pantry at our church we also give out gift certificates (that cannot be used for alcohol or butts)
A “government food distribution bureaucracy?” WTF are you talking about?
Still your first paragraph makes me laugh, it’s the same thing I said to these people. “I am at risk of going hungry, frequently, when I get too busy and forget to eat!” No, it’s serious. One out of five can frequently not afford food, and many of them are kids. Sure, give to churches too if you prefer, but keep a close EYE on them.
I should clarify. I was referring to free tater tots given out to chubby kids by our school systems. They use the same “food insecurity” data to justify those lunch and breakfast programs at our expense.
For some reason free school lunches really sticks in the craw of a lot of conservatives, every time I hear them bring this up I always think; what kind of small, petty, creepy, evil person would EVEN care about this?
Making sure kids are well fed is sooo basic, people like Travis make my skin crawl, eeecchhh!
Waste makes my skin crawl. Here is a description given to me by a local teacher:
“Every morning I come into school and watch my students eat a little bit of their taxpayer-provided hot breakfast before discarding the majority of it in the garbage. These kids are wearing $150 Nikes and showing of their new iPods, but somehow they still qualify for free breakfast and lunch. Not only am I paying for my own breakfast (if I have time to prepare it) but I’m paying for theirs as well.
Picking on kid”s school lunches is going after chump change, PETTY, SMALL and EVIL, yeah, you make me sick!
Almost 25% of FULL TIME workers in this county make LESS than 25,000, your cheap ass, myopic, self-pitying (and no doubt, conservative) teacher must NOT be looking very hard.
The “$150 Nikes” canard, where have we heard that kind of crap before? Oh yeah, your beloved and lyin’ Reagan and his “cadillac driving welfare queen”, it was BS then and it’s BS now.
There is real need and REAL HUNGER in this country and in this county.
those people in the picture don’t look like they have missed any meals.
Yeah, good thing they’re WORKING for the hungry!
So, are you participating in this or not, Cook?
IT IS THE PAYBACK TIME!
In 2004, I was ordered to do 8 hours of community service at the above food bank and have been unnecessary mistreated by the above garbage people.
I probably deserved to do the community service but did deserve to be treated with a dignity.
Since I am revanchist pursuant to GOLDEN RULE (they would not like to be treated as they treated me…… eye for eye, tooth for tooth), I will not ever participate in any food program even if it mean that millions will starve to death!…….. a small price to pay for screwing around with Stanislav Star.
The $150 shoe comment sounds a little like Reagan’s Cadillac driving welfare queen. I see kids outside an elementary school on 1st street in Santa Ana regularly, and none have expennsive shoes or accesories.
If you want to talk about poor people having too many kids, that’s a good topic, and I’ll start by saying we should be increasing Planned Parenthood expenditures tenfold. Your turn, Travis.
Yep, this teacher made up the entire anecdote. Kids never brag about how much their shoes cost.
Not much of a response there, Travis.
Also, notice that Orrin hatch is defending the oil companies’ windfall profits and supporting the companies’ subsidies, despite their billions of extra income.
So, why, Travis, are you so concerned about some kid getting an extra cheese sandwich? Tell you what — cut the subsidies, including for agribusiness, and then let’s talk about lunches for kids, some of whom probably are wasteful little turds.
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
1. SUMMARY
Childhood obesity in Orange County continues
to be an epidemic. If this growing epidemic is not addressed, some have suggested, the current generation of U.S. children will be the first to have a shorter average lifespan than their parents.1 Over the past 35 years – less than half a lifetime – the percentage
of American adolescents who are obese has more than tripled, rising from 5 percent to almost 18 percent.2
These national statistics closely mirror obesity statistics for Orange County. In taking a close look at childhood obesity in Orange County, the Grand Jury found that this problem affects all sectors of society regardless of race, education or income level.3 While lower education and income levels can exacerbate this problem, there are other core issues that must be addressed if Orange County is to make meaningful inroads into reversing this trend. (See Figure 1.)
Figure 1. Overweight In Orange County
The percent of children with weight greater than the
95th percentile on the Pediatric Growth Chart varies
by age and ethnicity/race in O.C.
Data is from 2007.
Source: Orange County Register graphic, based on data from the 15th
Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, 2009.
Page 2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
2. REASON FOR INVESTIGATION
With the percentage of obese American adolescents
tripling in a generation, the Orange County Grand Jury decided to review efforts of the County of Orange and the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) to combat the problem and to determine the effectiveness of the measures. The Grand Jury study sought to determine whether Health Care Agency budgeting for control of childhood
obesity is adequate.
3. METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
During this study, the Grand Jury reviewed the following sources:
• Publications.
• Websites.
• Prior Grand Jury Reports.
• Documents received from Orange County Health Care Agency.
• San Diego County Childhood Obesity
Action Plan.
• 14th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, 2008.
• 15th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, 2009.
Grand Jury members attended meetings of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative
(NuPAC) and Orange County Champion Moms.
Interviews were conducted by the Grand Jury with Orange County Health Care Agency Public Health Services officials and others.
4. BACKGROUND AND FACTS
Prior Orange County Grand Juries have reported on this important topic, the most recent being the 2008-2009 Grand Jury. The focus of that Grand Jury study was on Orange County schools and their efforts to comply with state and federal guidelines pertaining to meals and exercise. In reviewing the progress made, the 2009-2010 Grand Jury found that most County schools are in compliance. Currently
each school district develops its own program to address issues related to overweight children. However, there is an opportunity to make additional gains by developing a best-practices procedures manual that would apply to all schools uniformly.
4.1 Definition of obesity and overweight
Childhood obesity is a condition in which excess body fat negatively affects a child’s health or well-being. The diagnosis of obesity is often based on Body Mass Index. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered
overweight, with 30 or above considered obese. BMI should be used as a guide, along with waist size, to help estimate the amount of body fat.4
4.2 Projected financial impact of childhood and adult obesity
Overweight children are more prone to develop
serious health problems. These problems may continue or develop during adulthood. There is a long list of diseases attributed, in whole or in part, to obesity. Children and adolescents who are overweight have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, asthma and orthopedic problems; they are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as increased blood pressure and high cholesterol); and they are more likely to have behavioral
problems and depression.
In addition, children and adolescents who are overweight are more likely to remain so as adults; with an estimated 75% of overweight adolescents remaining obese as adults.
According to a study of the statewide economic impact of obesity published in 2009, Orange County
ranked second only to Los Angeles County in the economic costs of adults who are overweight, obese and physically inactive, costing Orange County an estimated $3.3 billion per year. The cost of adult obesity for California was $41.2 billion in 2006 and is projected to cost $52.7 billion in 2011.5 (See Figure 2.)
2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury Page
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
Figure 2. Costs of Overweight, Obesity and Physical Inactivity in California
Source: California Center for
Public Health Advocacy
4.3 Causes of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is the result of a combination
of individual, social and environmental factors. These core issues include:
• Diet – Maintaining poor habits such as overeating and eating foods with a high-fat content.
• Sedentary Life Style – Physical inactivity.
• Genetics – Genes which control appetite and metabolism may also predispose children to obesity.
• Home Environment – Parents failing to make the right decisions to ensure that their children get enough physical activity and are eating nutritional meals in appropriate portions.
• Psychological Factors – Low self-esteem, stress, nervous condition and depression are some of the factors which may lead to overeating.
• Medical Conditions – Certain conditions such as hypothyroidism, which is a hormonal
cause of obesity.
4.4 Collaborative Efforts
Orange County Health Care Agency and its numerous
programs, networks, workgroups and committees
within Orange County are responsible for leading coordinated efforts and optimizing resources to decrease obesity. These groups are composed of administrators from various public agencies, including
but not limited to Orange County Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative (NuPAC), school districts, Orange County Department of Education, and Public Health Foundation Enterprises (PHFE)/ Women, Infants and Children (WIC). (See Table 1.)
These administrative groups meet occasionally
to discuss and update their numerous initiatives,
obesity prevention plans, policies, strategies, etc. These groups of administrators and OCHCA attempt to coordinate the efforts of the numerous programs. However, with limited administrative resources available, OCHCA is unable to provide the required coordination to better use its limited funds. Furthermore, few if any of these groups meet directly with parents; therefore, little information reaches the home.
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Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
Table 1. Partial List of Partners Collaborating with OCHCA and NuPAC
2nd Harvest Food Bank of OC OC Dept of Ed Network Coalition (cont):4th District PTA Capistrano USDAmerican Cancer Society Centralia SDAmerican Diabetes Association Cypress SDAmerican Heart Assoc-Latino Programs Garden Grove USD (pre-k)American Lung Association La Habra City SDBoys & Girls Clubs in OC Magnolia SD (pre-k)Cal State University – Fullerton Saddleback Valley USDCalOptima Westminster SD (pre-k)Camino Health Centers – WIC OC Head Start, Inc.Children and Families Commission OC Hunger CoalitionChildren’s Hospital of Orange County OC in MotionCity of Laguna Hills OC Marathon/Canning for HungerCommunity Action Partnership of OC Office of Congresswoman LorettaSanchezDairy Council of California Orange Unified SDDisney GOALS Planned ParenthoodFullerton Collaborative PowerPlay MD-OCHuntington Beach Union High SD, Ocean Project Access, Inc. View SD, Westminster SD Santa Ana Education FoundationIrvine Unified SD Santa Ana Unified School DistrictKaiser Permanente St. Jude Medical CenterLatino Health Access KID HEALTHY Steps to HealthyMission Hospital CollaborativeNewport-Mesa Unified SD The Healthy Orange County (THOC)OC Department of Education CoalitionOC Dept of Ed Network Coalition: THINK Together Anaheim City SD U.C. Cooperative Extension Buena Park SD YMCA of OC
Source: NuPAC Fact Sheet from September 2007 – August 2008 Year-End Report
One of the keys to controlling childhood obesity is getting the information into homes about how to prevent and overcome the problem. A parent workshop presented by Champion Moms addressed the importance of nutrition and physical activity. This program organized by the Health Care Agency’s Family Health Division was an excellent example of obesity prevention by directly involving parents.
Unfortunately, the Grand Jury learned of no other
County-sponsored structured programs or regular meetings that directly involve parents in coping with childhood obesity. Apparently not enough is being done by Orange County government to extend or develop programs designed to acquaint parents with how to deal with childhood obesity and to understand
its causes.
A commitment is lacking from county government
to develop such anti-obesity programs and provide the resources to make them effective. Unless the County acts expeditiously, little or no improvement
can be expected in efforts to reverse the childhood
obesity epidemic.
4.5 Budget
Orange County is addressing the obesity problem
through several programs jointly funded by state, federal and private foundation grants. The County’s budget for the Orange County Health Care Agency provides no funding that specifically targets childhood obesity. By depending almost entirely
on grants (which are not guaranteed), Orange
2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury Page
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
County in effect gives low priority to reducing childhood
obesity.
During the Fiscal Year 2009-2010, OCHCA received grants from private foundations and the California Department of Public Health totaling $6,615,067 to support healthy eating and physical activity promotion. However, as with most grants, limitations are placed on the grant recipient as to how the money can be spent. (See Table 2.) With funding from County government, OCHCA could create and implement new programs or adapt current
ones to directly involve parents.
Table 2. Summary of OCHCA Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Federal, State and Private Foundation Grant Amounts
Program Program Description Grant Amount
Women Infants WIC provides breastfeeding support, nutrition $5,396,740
Children (WIC) education and supplemental food.
Total $6,615,067
Nutrition Network – Local Incentive Award
Nutrition Network – Regional Award
Healthy Eating Active Communities
Elementary school youth are reached through multi-session classroom-based activities that encourage healthy eating. This program provides healthy eating
messages at school cafeterias.
Parent Empowerment Program: Partnerships are fostered between schools and organization in order to offer nutrition education classes to parents.
Retail Program: Staff members conduct food demonstrations
and work with grocery stores to encourage
fruit and vegetable consumption among customers.
Worksite Program: Healthy eating and physical activity breaks are encouraged at partner worksites.
Nutrition and Physical Activity Collaborative (NuPAC):
NuPAC convenes local providers of nutrition education and physical activity promotion. OCHCA staff provides the coordination with NuPAC.
Collaborative between OCHCA, Latino Health Access and the Santa Ana Unified School District aimed at reducing childhood obesity in the 92701 zip code.
$382,427
$704,651
$131,249
Page 2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
4.6 Grant limitations
The state and federal agencies include limitations on how grant funds may be used. For example, a grant may specify that it is to be used in high food stamp usage communities. Another grant specification
might allow use of funds only to persons whose income is below federal poverty level.
4.7 Grant Over-Reliance
In November 2009, OCHCA was one of 500 counties nationally competing for a portion of a $353 million national grant. In March 2010, Orange County learned that its $20 million grant proposal to be used to fight childhood obesity in the County was not selected.
The County had submitted a plan along with the grant application outlining how the grant money was to be used. Had the County been awarded the grant, this money would have gone a long way toward enhancing the coordination of existing programs as well as developing additional programs designed to address childhood obesity. The obesity problem still exists. The fight against childhood obesity is negatively impacted by the failure of this grant money to be awarded to Orange County. This over reliance on grant money will limit OCHCA’s ability to implement those plans outlined in the grant application in addressing this growing epidemic.
County government needs to make a commitment
to be creative and aggressive in appropriating
resources or we can expect to continue to lose ground in reversing this epidemic.
4.8 Commendation
The 2009-2010 Grand Jury commends and thanks the personnel of OCHCA for their assistance and cooperation during this study.
5. FINDINGS
In accordance with California Penal Code Sections
933 and 933.05, the 2009-2010 Grand Jury requires, or as noted, requests responses from each agency affected by the findings presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Based on its investigation of childhood obesity in Orange County, the 2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury has arrived at five principal findings, as follows:
F.1 Lack of coordination: Orange County Health Care Agency currently is responsible
for the coordination of all programs receiving grants to fight childhood obesity. OCHCA and groups of administrators attempt
to coordinate the efforts of numerous programs. However, with limited personnel dedicated to childhood obesity prevention, OCHCA is unable to provide the required coordination to better use its limited funds.
F.2 Grant limitations: The County receives federal
and state grants that support programs to fight childhood obesity which contain conditions that restrict how funds may be used, thus limiting the effectiveness of the programs’ efforts. For example, some children
may be excluded because they are not in a group targeted by grant criteria, such as food stamp eligibility or being below federal poverty level.
F.3 Over-reliance on grant funds: There is an over-reliance by the County on state and federal grants to address the obesity epidemic in children. There is no assurance that any grants will be awarded.
F.4 Lack of parental involvement: Parental involvement is a crucial element in combating
childhood obesity. Existing city and county programs, networks, workgroups and committees are composed of administrators
2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury Page
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
from various public agencies, who meet periodically.
Few, if any of these groups meet directly with parents; therefore, little information
reaches the home.
F.5 Lack of comprehensive plans: There is not a comprehensive plan which outlines all County efforts in place to address childhood obesity.
Responses to Findings F.1 through F.5 are requested
from Orange County Health Care Agency.
Responses to Findings F.2, F.3, and F.5 are required from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
In accordance with California Penal Code Sections
933 and 933.05, the 2009-2010 Grand Jury requires, or as noted, requests responses from each agency affected by the recommendations presented in this section. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Based on its investigation of Childhood Obesity in Orange County, the 2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury makes the following five recommendations:
R.1 Lack of coordination: The County needs to address the coordination gap which exists between all of the programs designed to address
childhood obesity in the County. The necessary resources need to be appropriated to ensure centralized coordination by OCHCA
of these programs. (See Finding 1)
R.2 Grant limitations: The County should dedicate funding to address the childhood obesity epidemic across all demographic groups. (See Finding 2)
R.3 Over-reliance on grant funds: The County should provide support through the use of generalfunds to assist OCHCA and its partner
groups in expanding their fight against childhood obesity. (See Finding 3)
R.4 Lack of parental involvement: The County and OCHCA should create and implement
new programs or adapt current ones to directly involve parents through regularly scheduled meetings designed to promote healthy children. (See Finding 4)
R.5 Lack of comprehensive plans: The County and OCHCA need to create a comprehensive
strategic plan which addresses and measures all efforts designed to fight the childhood obesity epidemic in the County. (See Finding 5)
Responses to Recommendations R.1 through R.5 are requested from Orange County Health Care Agency.
Responses to Recommendation R.2 and R.3 are required from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
7. REQUIRED RESPONSES
The California Penal Code specifies the required permissible responses to the findings and recommendations
contained in this report. The specific sections are quoted below:
§933.05
(a) For purposes of Subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury finding the responding person or entity shall indicate one of the following:
(1) The respondent agrees with the finding.
(2) The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefore.
(b) For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 933, as to each grand jury recommendation, the
Page 2009-2010 Orange County Grand Jury
Childhood Obesity in Orange County: More Needs to be Done
responding person or entity shall report one of the following actions:
(1) The recommendation has been implemented,
with a summary regarding the implemented action.
(2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation.
(3) The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a timeframe for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency when applicable. This timeframe shall not exceed six months from the date of publication of the grand jury report.
(4) The recommendation will not be implemented
because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefore.
8. APPENDIX
1The National Academies Free Press (web page) http://www.nap.edu/openbook:.php?record_id=12746&page=7
2Health Experts Offer Action Steps Local Governments
Can Use to Cut Childhood Obesity Rates (web page) http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/
newsitem.aspx?RecordID=12674
3The 15th Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County, 2009 (book) http://www.ochealthinfo.com/cscc/report
4Calculate Your Body Mass Index (web page) http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/E/9339/23671/266826.html?d=dmtHealthAZ
5The Economic Costs of Overweight, Obesity and Physical Inactivity (pdf file) CCPHA Research & Reports: Costofobesity_PRESSKIT.pdf http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/PDFs/Costofobesity_PRESSKIT.pdf
Art. Thank you for this in-depth information.
In the future can you give us the highlites and provide a source link rather than publishing a book.
Thank you!