Health Insurance in Texas Could Help Those with Obesity-related Problems

Obesity in the United States has become a health problem. In 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a call to action to help those overweight and obese. A year later, Congress mandated that the Institute of Medicine develop an action plan to reduce obesity among youth in the U.S. In 2007, the Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative was launched. Yet, according to the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity, the problem is still increasing nationwide.

Texas Programs Have Focused on Obesity for a Decade

During the past decade, the Paso del Norte health Foundation has provided extensive funding for obesity prevention programs. The Coordinated Approach To Childhood Health (CATCH) in El Paso is an evidence-based health program for elementary and middle school students. Walk El Paso promotes walking as a fun and safe way to exercise, and media advertisements promote nutrition, and physical activity in the El Paso region.

The Foundation fights childhood obesity by uniting community partners at all levels to promote healthy weights and strong bodies, and studies support the effectiveness of this approach. Two research studies have confirmed that the CATCH program reduced childhood obesity in elementary school, but the rate of child obesity in all Texas counties is still greater than the targeted national health goal.

In the U.S., 16.3 percent of children between the ages of two and 19 are obese, so more resources are needed to implement effective programs at both local and state levels.

El Paso Region Excels in Obesity Prevention Efforts

Obesity prevention efforts in the El Paso region of Texas have been cited as the most effective in Texas for decreasing obesity among children. Researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health at Austin Regional Campus reported a 13-percent decrease in obesity among El Paso's fourth graders.

Following the implementation of statewide programs, researchers looked at regional changes in child obesity across Texas. El Paso has offered the first indication that obesity prevention efforts will work on a broad public scale.

The El Paso effort is important because the National Institutes of Health reported that childhood obesity doubled during the past 20 to 30 years among all age, gender, and race groups. Research has also pointed out that obesity has put children as young as seven at risk of future heart disease and stroke, even in the absence of high blood pressure. This increased risk of life-threatening health problems is insidious because the children studied were entirely healthy except for obesity.

Lack of Texas Health Insurance Adds to Obesity-related Problems

Type 2 diabetes, which was formerly known as adult-onset diabetes, now afflicts obese children as well. Childhood obesity also increases the risk of other health problems, such as asthma, liver disease, orthopedic problems, and sleep apnea. This form of interrupted breathing during sleep is one of the most severe problems facing obese children, but an overwhelming array of problems may follow obese children into adulthood. Overweight adolescents are estimated to have a 70 percent chance of being overweight or obese as adults.

Despite the need for Health Insurance for Texas children who face obesity-related health issues, the state has a low percentage of healthcare coverage through Texas Health Insurance Plans. In 2008, Texas dropped to 46th place among 50 states in the United Health Foundation's ranking of healthcare statistics.

The Obama administration proposed greater oversight to regulate Health Insurance In Texas. In states like Texas, regulators don't routinely review health insurance premium increases. The president's proposal would add an additional layer of protection for consumers purchasing Texas Health Insurance.