The State of Idaho's Health
Results of a 2007 Idaho behavioral survey found that 63.1% of adult Idahoans are overweight while 25.1% are obese (BRFSS, 2007). Data show 46% of adult Idahoans are not active enough and more than 77% do not eat the recommended minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day (BRFSS, 2007). Idaho youth exhibit similar trends toward inactivity, poor eating habits, and overweight.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past 25 years, the obesity rate of adults has doubled in the United States and for children ages 6 to 19, the rate has tripled. These rates continue to rise.
One contributing factor to the increase in overweight and obesity in children: Children are spending half as much time outside today as they did 20 years ago. Whether watching television, playing on the computer or with video games, children are spending less time being active in nature and more time plugged in indoors. Children now spend an average of 6.5 hours a day plugged into electronic media.
The result: obesity, depression, asthma, attention deficit disorders and pharmaceutical use are increasing at an alarming rate. For many of these physical, mental and emotional problems, the cure may be just outside the door!
IPAN encourages every Idahoan to reduce their screen time and spend more time outdoors playing, exploring and reconnecting with nature. Let's Go Outside! For more information on a movement in Idaho to re-connect kids with nature, from backyards to mountaintops, visit: www.beoutsideidaho.org
Here are some things you can do to support Idaho's "Be Outside" initiative:
- Take a child outside. Explore! Play! Appreciate! This can be as simple as turning over rocks, collecting leaves, watching birds, or doing homework outdoors.
- Encourage "unplugged" time away from technological devices in your home, school, or church.
- Be a "conduit" of information: tell others about this issue.
- Host a children's outdoor event, or support and participate in family and youth outdoor activities.
Together, we can encourage Idahoans to "Be Outside!"
*source: The Idaho Children in Nature Network fact sheet. 2008.