Be a CHAMPION for VA’s Health

Heidi L. Hertz, MS, RDObesity Prevention CoordinatorVirginia Department of Health

The Obesity Battle

Topics

• Describe U.S. obesity trends for children and adults

• Describe the current and future CHAMPION activities

• Highlight partnership opportunities at state and local level

Current National and State Obesity Trends

1998

2007

1990

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

National Obesity Rates

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2008

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Virginia:

35.8% overweight

25.7% obese

Adult Obesity in Virginia

•Obesity is one of the leading preventable causes of death in the U.S. (second to tobacco use).

• 60.6%, or 3.45 million adults, are overweight or obese

• 25.5%, or 1.45 million adults, are obese.

Hot Off the Press! Virginia’s Rank

32nd highest rate of adult obesity

• 35% Overweight• 25.5% Obese

23rd highest rate of youth obesity

• 15.7% Overweight• 15.2% Obese

Youth Obesity in Virginia

•Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents

•Obese children and adolescents are at risk for health problems during their youth and as adults and are more likely to become obese as adults.

U.S. Youth Obesity Trends

Childhood Obesity

The consequences of childhood overweight may mean a generation of children living shorter life spans than their parents.

Current CHAMPION Activities and Opportunities for Partnership

VDH, Obesity Prevention

Through CHAMPION, the VDH focuses on proven obesity prevention strategies, creating a healthy nutritional environment, and appropriately emphasizing physical activity to improve the health of all Virginians. 

Common themes:• Nutrition Education and Physical Activity

Promotion• Community Involvement• Media Interventions• Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change

CHAMPION Strategies

Increase intake of fruits and vegetables

Increase breastfeeding rates

Increase physical activity

Decrease intake of energy dense foods

Decrease intake of sugar sweetened beverages

Decrease screen time

Healthy Community Action Teams

Help to develop, improve, and sustain program initiatives at the local level.

Accomplish a broad range of goals that reach beyond the capacity of any individual member organization.

Create infrastructure for future funding, initiatives, and dissemination.

Questions?

Contact Us:http://www.vahealth.org/NuPAFP/Champion/

Heidi.Hertz@vdh.virginia.gov