Lynn ranks 12th among cities with heaviest kids

LYNN – Fatso. Porky. Sausage.These might be unflattering nicknames for many Lynn schoolchildren, given that the city ranks 12th among Massachusetts communities in percentage of overweight students.According to a state public health report released Thursday, nearly 40 percent of all Lynn schoolchildren are either overweight or obese.Lawrence topped the scales with nearly 47 percent, followed closely by Fitchburg and Holyoke. Boston was fifth overall.The study, which measured the height and weight of about 110,000 students, indicated that obesity is more prevalent in the state’s poorer cities and towns. By comparison, in Arlington ? an affluent suburban community that encourages exercise and sound nutrition ? only 10 percent of the students were overweight.Of the Massachusetts students evaluated during the 2008-2009 academic year, more than one-third were overweight or obese.The Department of Public Health report was compiled from data gathered by school nurses who measured students in the first, fourth, seventh and 10th grades in 80 school districts.Last year, Massachusetts became one of several states to mandate that public schools calculate the body mass index (BMI) of every student.As a result, every school is required to conduct one screening this year and send the results home to parents.BMI is a standard that uses a formula ? including factors such as height and weight ? to determine whether a person is of appropriate size. In children, anticipated growth patterns are also taken into consideration, along with age and gender.If a child’s BMI scores in the 85th to 95th percentile, he or she is categorized as overweight. Any higher and the child is considered obese.Public health experts contend that chubby children are setting themselves up for health problems in later life, including heart disease.”While this is a statement about what we currently know about kids, communities would be well advised to consider it as a snapshot of what their community is going to look like unless they are able to plan for a different trajectory,” said Dr. Lauren Smith, medical director of the Department of Public Health.Smith noted that in a community where nearly half the 10th graders are overweight or obese, it’s reasonable to predict that the same percentages will remain as they reach adulthood.High-calorie foods, fast food, sugary snacks and soft drinks were to blame for fueling the obesity, as was lack of exercise.Some schools, mostly those in wealthy communities, have begun teaching healthy nutrition in kindergarten and beefing up their school exercise programs. Vegetables and soups are being offered in lieu of hamburgers and French fries. Teachers in those schools are also encouraging students to limit their time watching TV or sitting at a computer to two hours a day, and to exercise for at least one hour.