A Needs Assessment of Childhood Obesity for Elementary, Middle, and High School Students who Live in Southeast Illinois and Southwest Indiana

Childhood obesity continues to be a growing problem which could lead to devastating effects for the future of the United States. A needs assessment was conducted in two rural school districts in Southern Indiana and Illinois. Each school district surveyed students in the fourth, eighth, and eleventh grade levels. Measures ranged from nutritional habits, physical activity, height, weight, blood pressure, health history, asthma, diabetes status, and BMI. A majority of children surveyed identified as being either at risk for being obese or were obese. Additionally, hours spent in physical activity tended to decrease as students became younger. Overall, data from this study supports trend seen nationally that children over time are more and more likely to have nutritious habits with high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt; and also have very little physical activity.

Results will be used to design an intervention involving health education and new physical activity programs.