Curbing child obesity
Program seeks to standardize way fat is measured and also counsel parents
Valerie Miller can't hopscotch with other girls her age.
Instead, the 6-year-old Morada resident watches them giggle and jump from square to square while she sits nearby. Valerie tried it once but found one leg couldn't hold her up. The plain fact is, Valerie is just too heavy.
At 100 pounds, she weighs more than twice what a girl her age should. She wants to lose weight, wants to play with the kids from school and not get teased.
"I want to be skinnier so no one makes fun of me," she said with a shy drawl.
Dr. Trinh Vu, Valerie's pediatrician, is worried less about playground popularity than diabetes, heart strain and a shorter lifespan - just a few things that could follow Valerie into adulthood if she doesn't address the problem of obesity now.
An estimated 75 percent of all overweight and obese children stay that way after reaching adulthood. They are more likely to suffer health problems and injuries. To stem the rising tide of childhood obesity, California health providers are making sure physicians have the tools to detect and target kids who may need extra work to reduce their health risks.
One of those programs, "Taking Measures for Their Futures," aims to help standardize the way fat is measured and understood within the context of a child's age, gender and height. It emphasizes the importance of tracking a child's Body Mass Index or BMI, which determines whether a child's weight is appropriate and how it compares to other children.
The Blue Cross of California project also helps physicians talk to parents about such sensitive subjects as eating habits and lifestyle problems.
"Doctors do a lot, (but) sometimes they need to have the resources and the training to do their jobs better," said Harvinder Sareen, the director of health care management for state-sponsored business at Blue Cross of California.
The project provides booklets for doctors to use when talking to parents about obesity risks and counseling. Parents also get practical information on calories and healthy portions for their child's diet.
Vu, who often sees patients like Valerie, said parents are a big part of a successful battle against obesity.
In a controversial move, legislators in Pennsylvania have mandated schools to send home "fat letters," or report cards of each student's health outlook based on weight. Other states, including Illinois and Maryland, are considering similar measures.
No such mandate exists in California, where it is up to doctors and health care providers to educate parents about their choices.
Catherine Miller never meant for Valerie's weight to get so out of hand, and she takes responsibility for her daughter's condition. Still, she acknowledged being a bit overwhelmed by the doctor's orders. Limiting food intake, preparing healthier meals and exercising more often are a lot of changes to make in a household that has been the same for so long.
Valerie is pretty picky and doesn't eat that much, but what she does get isn't good. Spaghetti from a can, macaroni and chips trump the nutrient-rich foods essential to a growing child. A lack of exercise and a genetic predisposition toward heaviness from her father's side of the family have all contributed to her condition, Catherine Miller said.
"It's pretty much mommy's fault," Miller added with an uncertain chuckle. "I've always spoiled her. (But) I want her to be like a normal child."
Today, she tries to encourage Valerie to try new fruits and vegetables and limits the portions of less healthy foods. The girl, eager to obey her pediatrician's recommendations, has begun to play more and runs laps around the yard.
Vu hopes that with the right tools, the Millers will have a fighting chance. Setting goals that Valerie can stick to might be enough to someday get her back in the game.
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