Jan 2017 | CS267069A

PROGRAMS TO REDUCE OBESITY IN HIGH OBESITY AREAS

Obesity is a major health problem on a national level, but it is particularly persistent in certain areas. These places are the focus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas (High Obesity Program). CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) began the program in 2014 to combat the obesity problem using environmental approaches and to help reduce adverse health outcomes such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and some cancers.

The High Obesity Program funds land grant universities and colleges in states with some of the highest obesity areas of the country, specifically, those with counties where more than 40% of the adult population is obese. Grantees collaborate with existing cooperative extension and outreach services at the county level in their states to develop obesity solutions.

They put into action a set of evidence-based strategies in the community setting or in early care and education (ECE) centers. Activities include the following:

� Convening partners to assess community assets and needs and leverage resources.

� Providing training, technical assistance, and support for program development, implementation, and evaluation.

� Evaluating and monitoring progress on program implementation and assessing program effectiveness.

� Translating and communicating evaluation results for stakeholders, decision makers, partners, funders, and the public.

This profile features information on select variables of the high obesity counties included in this project as well as select information on obesity, physical activity, and environmental supports for physical activity and diet.

CDC works with state and local partners to increase healthy food choices and connect people to places and opportunities where they can be regularly active. CDC provides implementation and evaluation guidance, technical assistance, training, surveillance and applied research. CDC also provides partnership development to improve dietary quality, increase physical activity, and reduce obesity across multiple.

Profile of High Obesity Areas in: ARKANSASThe University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service works with four county Extension offices to promote and increase access to healthy food and more active lifestyles. The Extensions and their partners promote acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Women, Infants and Children (SNAP/WIC) benefits at food retailers, and work with retailers and farmers’ markets to promote programs such as Cooking Matters at the Store and Faithful Families Eating Smart Moving More. The Extensions are also working with faith-based groups and city government planners and programs, such as Kids Walk Across Arkansas and Yoga for Kids to create and enhance safe places for physical activity.

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, & Obesity

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PROFILE OF HIGH OBESITY AREAS IN: ARKANSAS

County County population1 County adult obesity prevalence2

% Population living in rural areas3

Chicot 11,800 47.4% 54.3%

Craighead 96,443 40.4% 32.2%

Jefferson 77,435 40.9% 30.9%

Monroe 8,149 42.5% 69.0%

Table 1. Estimated Adult Obesity Prevalence

� The estimated adult obesity prevalence in these counties ranges from 40.4% to 47.4%. The overall state adult obesity prevalence is 34.5%. These 4 counties are between 30.9% and 69% rural.

County% County population below

poverty line5% Children below

poverty line5

Chicot 32.4% 45.0%

Craighead 21.5% 31.5%

Jefferson 24.5% 37.3%

Monroe 30.2% 46.8%

Table 2. Poverty Levels

Poverty levels are significant social determinants of health.4

� Chicot, Jefferson, and Monroe counties are classified as “persistent poverty” and “persistent-child-poverty” countiesa.

County% Adults physically

inactive3% Population with access

to physical activity3

Chicot 38% 10%

Craighead 34% 59%

Jefferson 36% 65%

Monroe 38% 7%

Table 3. Physical Activity

� 34%–38% of adults aged 20 years or older in these counties self-report no leisure-time physical activity.

� 7%–65% of the population in these counties has “reasonable” access to physical activityb.

County

% Low incomec population with

limited access to healthy foods3

% Population with food insecurity3

% Children eligible for free or reduced

price lunch7

Chicot 3% 27% 98.2%

Craighead 10% 20% 55.3%

Jefferson 7% 26% 68.9%

Monroe 6% 25% 94.3%

Table 4. Food Access & Insecurity

� Across the counties between 20% and 27% of the population experience food insecurity.

� 55.3%–98.2% of children enrolled in public schools are eligible for free or reduced price lunch in these 4 counties.

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PROFILE OF HIGH OBESITY AREAS IN: ARKANSAS

Figure 1: Selected Racial/Ethnic Demographics in High Obesity Counties in Arkansas1

Figure 2. High Obesity Counties of Arkansas

Craighead

Monroe

Jefferson

Chicot

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PROFILE OF HIGH OBESITY AREAS IN: ARKANSAS

References:

1. US Census Bureau. 2010 Census website. http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml#. Accessed June 27, 2016.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Request for Proposal.” In: Programs to Reduce Obesity in High Obesity Areas (CDC-RFA-DP14-1416), 5–6. Atlanta, GA: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2012.

3. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website. http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/. Accessed June 26, 2016.

4. Wilkinson R, Marmot M, eds. Social Determinants of Health: The Solid Facts. 2nd ed. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization; 2003.

5. US Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2009–2013 estimates website. http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml#. Accessed June 27, 2016.

6. Winkleby M, Cubbin C. Influence of individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic status on mortality among black, Mexican-American, and white women and men in the United States. Epidemiol Community Health. 2003;57(6):444–452.

7. US Department of Agriculture. USDA Food Atlas website.http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-environment-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx. Accessed June 27, 2016.

Notes:

aA county was classified as persistent child poverty if 20% or more of related children younger than 18 years of age and were poor as measured by the 1980, 1990, and 2000 decennial censuses and the American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2007–2011.

b“Reasonable access” is defined as individuals who reside in a census block within a half mile of a park or in urban census tracts, reside within 1 mile of a recreational facility or in rural census tracts, or reside within 3 miles of a recreational facility.

cLow income is an annual family income less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty threshold for family size.