Metropolitan Planning Council

November 3, 2010

Obesity in Chicago: The Problem and Some Solutions

Adam B. Becker, PhD, MPH

Executive Director

Top 10 Causes of Death – 15-64 YRS, 2006

1. Cancer

2. Heart Disease

3. Accidents

4. Homicide

5. Stroke

6. Chronic Lower Resp. Disease

7. Diabetes

8. HIV/AIDS

9. Septicimia

10.Nephritis

Chicago Department of Public Health, 2006

Obesity in Chicago

• Adults1

– 29.9% of Chicago adults were found to be obese or morbidly obese (BMI > 30, 40)

• IL – 26.5%

– Higher in low income communities of color2

• Humboldt Park – 35%

• North Lawndale – 41%

• Roseland – 38%

• Children

– 22% of 3-7 year olds entering school were obese (BMI > 95th %ile) in 20082

– Down from 24% in 20043

• National (2-5 yrs) – 10.4%4

3

1Chicago Department of Public Health, BRFSS 20052SUHI, 20043CLOCC, 20104Ogden and Carol, CDC - NHANES

Chicago – Neighborhood Data

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Chicago (36% Black,

26% Hispanic,21% White)

Humboldt Park (47% Black,

48% Hispanic)

West Town (47% Hispanic,

39% White)

South Lawndale(83% Hispanic)

North Lawndale(94% Black)

Roseland (98% Black)

Norwood Park(88% White)

Source: Improving Community Health Survey, Report I., Sinai Urban Health Institute: Chicago, IL. http://www.suhichicago.org/files/publications/P.pdf

Addressing Obesity

An ecologic approach is required

SocietyCommunityFamilyIndividual

What is CLOCC?

• Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (www.clocc.net)

• Nationally recognized by U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

• Hundreds of organizations and individuals working to confront childhood obesity in Chicago

• Data-driven and evidence-based

• Working at national, state, city, and local neighborhood levels

Example Initiatives – Community and Societal Level

• City-wide Public Education

• Neighborhood Environmental Change

– Focus in 10 Chicago neighborhoods, soon to disseminate beyond

– Healthy Food Retail

• Farmers’ Markets, Healthy Corner Stores and Restaurants, Illinois Fresh Food Fund

– Safe Opportunities for Physical Activity

• Neighborhood Walkability Assessment, Parent Patrols and Safe Routes to School

• City of Chicago’s Inter-Departmental Taskforce on Child Obesity

• Chicago Childhood Obesity Policy Agenda

• Communities Putting Prevention To Work

– Systems, policy, and environmental change strategies

– Partnership with City of Chicago/CDPH