Obesity is Crucial Concern for Health and Education Experts

“Polio got everybody’s attention because it was so dramatic. The epidemic of obesity has come slower and It’ll kill many more people than polio."

One of Mississippi's top medical experts is calling the growing obesity epidemic the most crucial health concern for the state, nation and the world. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

“This has occurred under my watch. This has occurred under my watch.”

Dr. Dan Jones is the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and former Dean of the University's School of medicine. Yesterday he told more than 400 school nurses attending a conference in Jackson, that today's obesity epidemic can easily be compared to the polio epidemic of the past.

“Polio got everybody’s attention because it was so dramatic. It wasn’t there and then it was there and there were children dying and becoming disabled. The epidemic of obesity has come slower and so people haven’t been alarmed about it but it’s just as devastating. It’ll kill many more people than polio it just takes many more years for it to happen.”

That message hit home for Emma Jenkins, a third year school nurse who works with adolescence in the capitol city.

“It’s heartbreaking because you know what they are facing.”

What's even more sobering for Jenkins are the environmental influences children face.

“A lot of times they can’t watch what they eat they have to eat what they have because their parents can’t buy the things that probably are lower in calories. They buy a lot of bread and sandwiches and pasta. And we’re trying to teach them to be active, drink more water, eat just simple things and that’s fruits and vegetables.”

Experts agree that healthcare and education must join forces in eradicating childhood obesity. But according to District 5 Public Health Officer, Dr. Mary Armstrong the problem is compounded by the shortage of school nurses.

“Some nurses are divided between schools that are even hours apart from each other. They, one school nurse for a district that has several schools in that district. And it’s a challenge for them to cover everything that is needed in those schools.”

Health officials say by the time a person with a history of obesity reaches age 50 their chances of having a heart become greater. But according to Dr. Dan Jones the healthy schools initiative in Mississippi could reduce those chances by teaching good diet and exercise habits as early as third grade. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.