A Healthy Kid is a Healthy County

Katie Stark

The need for an established health and physical education program directed toward the youth in Knox County is more urgent now than ever before. According to the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an astonishing high of 28.8% of Missouri children are now overweight or obese. As overweight or obese children tend to remain overweight or obese in adulthood, this data reveals a significant dangerous trend toward heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Currently, 32% of Knox County adults are obese, with another 38% being overweight, and this number will only increase with the influx of overweight children ("Health & preventative," 2009).

Present risk factors in Missouri youth appear to continue tirelessly and include the following:

• 32.4% of Missouri children watch three or more hours of TV a day

• 22.9% use computers for reasons unrelated to school work more than three hours a day
• 55.6% of Missouri children report not attending physical education classes in an average week
• High rates of unintentional injury precursors (bicycle helmet usage, seat belts, driving/riding under influences, etc.)
• Significant mental health issues (depression, bullying, weapon usage, etc)
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• High rates of unprotected sex at young ages
  ("High school yrbs," 2009)

Examples of communities developing community health programs have been studied and many successful programs have been discovered , including the following:

• Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) in Saskatchewan, Canada, with its Physical Activity Program, Gambling Prevention Program, and Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Program
• Oak Parks, Illinois, community center with various exercise classes and mental health services and support groups for those living with specific diseases
• The Lockwood School District in Montana with a drug and alcohol awareness program for high schoolers and their parents

The Knox County Community Center, newly erected this year in Edina, has dedicated itself toward the intervention in the decline of youth health in Knox County. Education classes will be available concerning nutritional health, sexual health, substance abuse, sleep awareness and many other diverse topics along with a facility for safe recreation, from organized sports and lessons to use of workout equipment for all members. In order for the KCCC to be successful in this intervention, the staff asks for Knox County resident's help in raising both funds and awareness.

References

Drake, K. (2012). Community committed to health of its youth. Billings Gazette, Retrieved from http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/mailbag/community-committed-to-health-of-its- youth/article_92cc28a7-b1cd-535f-a3fb-eb2283ed66ee.html

Johnson, M. (2012). Community initiatives fund program help residents build vibrant communities. Sasknewsnow, Retrieved from http://www.sasknewsnow.com/section/2012- 01-14/article-2864437/Community-Initiatives-Fund-program-help-residents-build- vibrant-communities/1

MICA, (2008). Child health profile for Knox residents. Retrieved from Missouri Government website: http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/ASPsChildHealth/Main.php?cnty=103

MICA: County Level Study 2003-2007 Comparison, MICA. (2009). Health & preventative practices for Knox-Scotland-Clark county adults. Retrieved from U.S. Government website: http://health.mo.gov/data/mica/CLS_Compare/header.php?cnty=103&p

Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). High school yrbs Missouri 2009 results. Retrieved from U.S. Government website: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Results.aspx?LID=MO

(2012). Oak park and river forest community calendar initiatives fund program help residents build vibrant communities. OakLeaves, Retrieved from http://oakpark.suntimes.com/lifestyles/9997817-423/oak-park-and-river-forest- community-calendar.html