EL PASO, Tx. - Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin School of Public Health spent Wednesday and Thursday studying the fitness level of elementary kids in El Paso.
Third, fourth and fifth graders at Glen Cove elementary in east El Paso were studied to determine their level of fitness and physical activity.
Glen Cove elementary school was chosen by researchers because it participates in the "Catch" program. This initiative is funded by the Paso Del Norte Health Foundation and helps families and schools adopt healthy eating and exercise habits.
According to officials at UT Austin, child obesity is an epidemic that more parents in Texas are coping with everyday.
New research released this week shows kindergarten kids gain more weight over the summer than during the school year.
Researchers chose to focus on El Paso because it lies in the Rio Grande Valley; a region which previous studies have shown to have more cases of overweight and obese Hispanic kids than other areas in the state.
On Wednesday, researchers measured the weight, height, and body mass index of children at the school. Thursday, they measured the kid's level of activity during physical education classes.
These measurements are used to determine if someone is overweight or underweight based on their height and weight.
Project Director Carolyn Smith tells ABC-7, "The project is anonymous for the children. In fact, all of the information that we collect, no names will ever be associated with their questions, or their body mass index."
This year, the Texas State Senate passed two bills which mandate that elementary and middle school children must participate in physical activities at least 30 minutes every school day.
Smith further stated, "we will be able to take this information and not only provide it to the school districts, but we'll provide it to committees at the state level and our policy makers."
Recently, child obesity has gained national attention.
The New York Times recently reported that some school districts across the nation have recently started measuring the body mass index of some children.
The analysis' are then being sent to parents with the children's report cards.
