LIFESTYLE AND BEHAVIORAL IMPACTS ON CURRENT OBESITY RATES

Amy Mullins, MS, RD, LD/N

UF IFAS/ Leon County Extension

17% of youth in the US are overweight or obeseConclusion: “Overall, there have been no significant changes in obesity prevalence in youth or adults between 2003-2004 and 2011-2012. Obesity prevalence remains high and thus it is important to continue surveillance.”

How Does Florida Compare?Children

What are the consequences of childhood obesity?

• High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD)

• Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

• Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, and asthma• Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort• Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-esophageal reflux

(i.e., heartburn)• Obese children and adolescents have a greater risk of social

and psychological problems, such as discrimination and poor self-esteem, which can continue into adulthood

• Obese children are more likely to become obese adults• If children are overweight, obesity in adulthood is likely to be

more severe

How Does Florida Compare?Adults

Obesity is a Complex ConditionWhat are the factors influencing obesity?

• Biological• Genetic• Social• Cultural• Behavioral• Environmental

Primary factors responsible for current US weight problems lead to:

• Excess calorie intake• Inadequate physical activity

US Department of Health and Human Services

Factors Contributing to Excess Calorie Intake

• Increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

• Increased snacking• Larger portion sizes• Higher calorie-density of foods• More meals consumed/purchased away from home• More exposure to advertising encourages food consumption/promotes unhealthy foods

• Value-sizing of less nutritious foodsFood Research and Action Center

Factors Contributing to Inadequate Amounts of Physical Activity

• Labor-saving technological advances

• Increased media use• Automobile-oriented

communities

Food Research and Action Center

• Limited access

to safe, convenient recreation facilities or walking areas• Limited opportunities for

activity during the workday• Limited time for daily

physical education and recess in schools

Are Low-Income and Food Insecure People Vulnerable to Overweight/Obesity?

YES! They are especially vulnerable

1. Limited Resources

2. Lack of access to healthy, affordable foods• Neighborhoods frequently lack full-service grocery stores and

farmers’ markets• Often limited to small convenience and corner stores• Food budgets are often stretched by purchasing cheap, energy-

dense/filling foods; usually have lower nutritional quality• “healthy” foods are often more expensive and poorer quality in

these environments• Greater availability of fast food restaurants, especially near schools

Food Research and Action Center

Low-Income and Food Insecure 3. Fewer opportunities for physical activity

• Fewer available resources including parks, green spaces, bike paths, recreational facilities

• Available resources may be physically unattractive with more visible signs of trash and disrepair

• Crime, traffic, unsafe playground equipment• Children are less likely to participate in organized sports due to

expense and transportation barriers

4. Cycles of food deprivation and overeating• Chronic cycles of skipping meals/eating less to stretch food $ leads

to overeating when food is available resulting in metabolic changes promoting fat storage and obesity

Food Research and Action Center

Low-Income and Food Insecure 5. High levels of stress

• Financial and emotional pressures of food insecurity, low-wage work, lack of access to health care, inadequate transportation, poor housing, neighborhood violence

• May lead to weight gain through stress-induced hormonal and metabolic changes and unhealthy eating behaviors

• Chronic stress may trigger anxiety and depression, both associated with child and adult obesity

6. Greater exposure to marketing of obesity-promoting products

7. Limited access to health care• Unavailable, unaffordable, or lower quality• Not seeking basic healthcare results in lack of diagnosis and

treatment of emerging chronic health problems (like obesity)Food Research and Action Center

Income and Obesity

Income and Physical Activity

Rates for adults meeting the physical activity guidelines 2012

• 10.2% for those with incomes under the poverty threshold• 13.6% for those with incomes 100% to 199% of the poverty threshold• 18.6% for those with incomes 200% to 399% of the poverty threshold• 25.7% for those with incomes 400% to 599% of the poverty threshold• 33.4% for those with incomes over 600% of the poverty threshold

www.healthypeople.gov

Education and Physical Activity

www.ahealthieramerica.org

WHAT CAN YOU DO?Keep Being a HERO in Your Community!