As if the numerous health risks associated with childhood obesity weren’t bad enough, a joint report issued yesterday by NYC’s Health Department and the Department of Education provides yet another reason to worry about children who are not physically fit.

The report finds that NYC public school students in grades K-8 whose fitness scores rank in the bottom five percent on the NYC Fitnessgram (a comprehensive fitness assessment done on an annual basis) score 36 percentage points lower on standardized tests than students whose fitness level is in the top five percent. That’s an astoundingly huge difference!

The report also finds that 18% of children in New York City’s public schools are overweight, and an additional 21% are obese. Ouch! Especially frightening when you consider that childhood obesity is associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity is also closely linked to adult obesity, which is a risk factor for heart disease and cancer.

Here’s what New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley has to say:

When four out of 10 school kids are overweight or obese, the city has a problem. We know that physical activity can combat obesity and its health consequences. This report suggests that healthy, active kids also learn better.

Interestingly, while the data shows a clear correlation between fitness and test scores, the question that remains unanswered is: Why? The report does not speculate on causal relationships. In other words, it’s unclear whether there’s a direct causal link between fitness and academic performance in either direction, or whether there are other significant factors at work here which could contribute to both lower levels of fitness and lower test scores. (For example, kids from low income families may be at a disadvantage when it comes to both nutrition and fitness as well as academic achievement).

Nevertheless, the results of this study highlight an ongoing public health concern that continues to affect millions of our nation’s children. The good news is that while cures for other debilitating physical conditions still elude us, childhood obesity is problem whose solutions we already know and can implement.

Here are the official recommendations made by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:

• Make sure kids get at least one hour of physical activity a day. Fun activities work best – try bicycling, dancing, jumping rope, playing basketball or going for a walk.
• Limit children’s TV, video game and Internet use.
• Prepare healthful meals at home. Offer children fruits and vegetables at every meal and snack.
• Don’t let children drink their calories. Choose water and low-fat milk, not juice or high-calorie, sugar-sweetened beverages, such as sodas.
• Encourage children to take advantage of healthy food choices provided at school.

As far as schools go, replacing junk food with more nutritious options in school cafeterias (see previous post here); making quality physical education a mandatory part of the curriculum; and teaching children about wellness and nutrition are great ways to begin tackling this potentially devastating problem.

(Photo: tranchis’ flickr photostream/Creative Commons)