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Obesity in NMI children seen worsening
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Posted on Oct 19 2005
In 1996, a survey conducted among the CNMI’s children showed that some one-third of their population suffered from obesity. Today, the situation may be worse, according to Western Michigan University assistant professor Mozhdeh B. Bruss, Ph. D., who is spearheading the Childhood Obesity Prevention Research Project.
Bruss said a high percentage of obese children suffer from at least one cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension and abnormal glucose tolerance.
Studies have also shown that many of those children suffer from other complications, such as sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, eating disorders, depression, and fatty liver.
But Bruss said the CNMI has become the nation’s pioneer in implementing the grant-funded intervention project that aims to prevent childhood obesity. She said project began in August and would be targeting 10 schools in the CNMI, including the Tinian and Rota elementary schools.
Bruss said the project takes on a scientific yet cultural approach to make childhood obesity prevention effective among local children. It seeks to educate parents about the problem, train school facilitators, and make available scientific literature on obesity prevention among children.
Glenn Muna, Oleai Elementary School’s vice principal, said students’ parents now read labels on food items to determine nutritional value before feeding their children.
San Antonio Elementary School principal Tobed Smith shared the same observation, saying that the program should be a regular part of schools’ curriculum.
Joeten Motor Company, Inc. executive vice president Frances Demapan also stressed the importance of the project and the need to sustain its implementation in the CNMI.
“Non-governmental organizations and businesses should adopt a school and continue with the project,” Demapan said.
