CPPW State of obesity 032210 bw
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The document summarizes the state of obesity in Suburban Cook County (SCC). It finds that over half of adults and 40% of children in SCC are overweight or obese, which has doubled and tripled respectively in the last 20 years. Obesity rates in SCC are influenced by environments that promote unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyles. Addressing obesity requires efforts at home, school, work and in communities to increase access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity. A multifaceted approach is needed to turn the tide on this growing public health crisis.
CPPW State of obesity 032210 bw
- 1. The State of Obesity in Suburban Cook County āThe surge in obesity in this country is Obesity is the largest epidemic facing Suburban nothing short of a public health crisis Cook County (SCC). that is threatening our children, our ā¢ Obesity rates have doubled for adults and tripled for families, and our future.ā children over the past 20 years. Over half the adults First Lady Michelle Obama in SCC is overweight or obese ā which is more than the entire population of Montana.1 About 40 percent of children are overweight or obese.2 ā¢ Obesity will soon surpass tobacco as the leading cause of death.3 Rising rates of obesity are largely a result of what we eat and how much we move. In SCC, 3 in 4 adults do not eat the recommended amount of fresh fruits, and a large majority are not physically active enough.4 āAmerican society has become character- The burden of obesity is heavy on individuals, fami- ized by environments that promote lies and communities. increased food intake, nonhealthful ā¢ Health consequences of obesity are devastating. foods, and physical inactivity.ā Obesity affects our quality of life and is linked with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart disease. ā¢ The burden of obesity jeopardizes our childrenās future. Obese children miss more days of school than their healthy-weight peers5 and are more likely to develop serious health conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.6,7Experts are concerned that if obesity rates continue to rise, record numbers of parents could end up outliving their children. ā¢ Obesity carries a huge price tag. Obesity costs the State of Illinois about $3.5 billion dollars a year. If we do not address the epidemic of obesity today, projected costs are estimated to be 5 times higher by 2018.8 Obesity is crippling military readiness, government budgets and putting businesses at a competitive disadvantage by reduc- ing worker productivity and increasing healthcare costs.9,10 www.cookcountypublichealth.org
- 2. āA single hand cannot cover the sky. It is critical that a diverse group of partners work together to effect change at the community level.ā The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation References We are battling a culture of obesity. 1 Illinois BRFSS: 2007 2 ā¢ Many of the places we live, work, study and play Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Oral Health, Healthy Smile Healthy Growth 2003-2004. 3 promote increased food intake, unhealthy foods, or Ali H. Mokdad, PhD; James S. Marks, MD, MPH; Donna F. Stroup, PhD, MSc; Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH. Actual Causes of Death in physical inactivity. Place does matter and affects our 4 the United States, 2000. JAMA. 2004;291:1238-1245. Illinois BRFSS 2007 health. For example, people who live in communities with 5 Geier, A. Foster G., Womble L et al., āThe Relationships between Rela- tive Weight and School Attendance among Elementary Schoolchildren.ā safe sidewalks, ample parks, good public transportation Obesity, 15 (8): 2157-2161, August 2007. and ready access to fresh fruits and vegetables are 38 6 Overweight and Obesity, Health Consequences. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2009. www.cdc.gov/obesity/causes/health.html. percent less likely to develop diabetes.11 7 Childhood Obesity: Beginning the Dialogue on Reversing the Epidemic. Testimony of Dr. Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH, Director, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity before In SCC, some municipalities have less access than others. the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. For example, poor communities have fewer super- 8 The Future Costs of Obesity: National and State Estimates of the Impact of Obesity on Direct Health Care Expenses. A collaborative report from markets, and more fast food restaurants and convenience United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. Based on research by Kenneth E. Thorpe, stores. They have limited green spaces, nearby trails, Ph.D. of Emory University and Executive Director, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. Updated November 2009. recreation centers, or safe places to walk or play. 9 Christeson W, Taggart AD, Messner-Zidell S. Ready, Willing, and Unable to Serve. Washington, DC: Mission: Readiness, 2009. ā¢ Marketing has also encouraged unhealthy behaviors. 10 Childhood Obesity: Beginning the Dialogue on Reversing the Epidemic. Testimony of Dr. Joseph W. Thompson, MD, MPH, Director, Robert What children eat is inļ¬uenced by how food is marketed. Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The nationās largest food and beverage companies spent 11 Auchincloss AH, Diez Roux AV, Mujahid MS, Shen M, Bertoni AG, Carnethon MR. Neighborhood resources for physical activity and about $1.6 billion in 2006 marketing their products ā healthy foods and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Multi-Ethnic study of Atherosclerosis. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Oct 12;169(18):1698-704. especially carbonated drinks ā to children and teens.12 12 Marketing Food to Children & Adolescents: A Review of Industry, Expenditures, Activities, & Self-Regulation. A report to Congress. Federal Trade Commission. July 2008. WE MUST ACT NOW TO TURN THE TIDE AGAINST THE GROWING OBESITY EPIDEMIC. At Home ā¢ Reduce time spent watching television or sitting still. ā¢ Build physical activity into regular routines. Walk or ride your bike to school, work or the grocery store. At School ā¢ Provide options in cafeterias and vending machines that are low in fat, calories and added sugars and include fruits and vegetables. ā¢ Provide quality daily physical education to all children, Kindergarten thru 12th Grade. At Work ā¢ Provide more opportunities for employees to be physically active. Form walking or jogging clubs or work with neigh boring gym to provide group discount. In the Community ā¢ Encourage restaurants/fast food chains to provide nutrition information on menus. ā¢ Promote physical activity with parks, playgrounds, alterna- tives to driving. For more information, call the CCDPH Prevention Services Unit at 708-492-2193 or email healthycook@ccdph.net.