While a complete survey of these particular health issues of children in St. Joseph County was outside the range of this needs assessment, some limited data are presented on iron deficiency anemia and obesity. The presence of these conditions may indicate a need for nutrition education. Nutrition education is provided by twenty organizations, eight of which are hospitals or other medical providers. Some young children, especially low income children, are at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Among poor and minorities, the percentage is even greater.
Many obese children become obese adults.
According to Evelyn King, Head Start Nutrition Consultant, this is a conservative number because the criteria used is weight for height greater than the 95th percentile on the National Center for Health Statistics growth charts. In St. Joseph County there are twelve soup kitchens, two of which serve food three or fewer times per week. Seventeen churches also operate food pantries. Food pantries are operated both in New Carlisle and Walkerton through the cooperative efforts of two groups of churches. Due to its failure to meet certain guidelines, it is no longer operating.