Kane Co. health stats show many overweight or obese

Two out of every three adults in Kane County are overweight or obese, a factor that increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease, among other health-related problems.

Kane County's statistics mirror national data, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To combat this trend, Kane County Health Department officials Tuesday unveiled a public service campaign aimed at school-age children.

Called "Fit for Kids," the campaign would promote healthy eating and physical activity at home and at school.

"We're raising a generation that will have a shorter life expectancy than ours," health department executive director Paul Kuehnert told the county board's public health committee.

Kuehnert wants to convene a summit of city and school officials, community leaders and other interested parties from across the county to examine childhood obesity and create a multifaceted plan to reverse the trend. He called obesity "the major threat to the health of our future generations in Kane County."

Michael Isaacson, the department's director of community health, said a pilot wellness program recently launched at Highland Elementary School in Elgin Area School District U-46 could be replicated at other schools in Kane County.

Part of a national YMCA initiative to create healthier communities, the pilot program provided an extra serving of fresh fruit or vegetables daily as part of the school lunch program. Students enjoyed it, according to the school's lunch supervisor.

They also competed to see which class could walk the most steps per day over a four-week period. The winning grade level earned a pool party.

"We have seen some small victories," Isaacson said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service recently launched a kid-targeted campaign called "Eat smart. Play hard." to promote healthful eating and physical activity. Kuehnert pointed to that program as one that Kane County leaders could examine.