Obesity is a growing epidemic among youth and Cooper County is no exception. According to the Cooper County 2008 Community Health Assessment released by the Cooper County Public Health Center, there are several health related risk factors in the county: 37.2 percent of Cooper County residents were overweight, 21.8 percent were obese and 26.5 percent were physically inactive. The figures, compiled in 2004, are presumed by the health center to be higher now.

The Boonville School District is doing their part to combat the epidemic -- starting with the staff.

“We are making a concentrated effort to work on student wellness,” said school nurse Kathy Liebe.

The wellness programs among the staff began in order to motivate the students. “We can’t ask students to do something that we won’t do,” Liebe said.

With that in mind, Boonville High School, Laura Speed Elliot Middle School, David Barton Elementary School and Central Elementary School have all been doing activities to promote the idea among the staff and students.

The high school and Central Elementary both had walking challenges for their staff. L.S.E. and David Barton chose weightloss programs for their staff. Regardless of what they chose to do, all worked to inspire the students and fight the epidemic.

For the rest of the story, see the Thursday, May 15 print edition of the BDN.