5. Priority Area: Obesity

State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) 2021-2025

OBESITY

Obesity is associated with major causes of death and disability, and its effect on predisposing individuals to the development of type 2 diabetes is so strong that the onset of this disease now is occurring in childhood. In the United States alone, one-third of adults are now obese, and the prevalence of obesity among children has risen from 5 to 17 percent in the past 30 years. . In economic terms, the estimated annual cost of obesity-related illness based on data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2000-2005 is $190.2 billion (in 2005 dollars), or nearly 21 percent of annual medical spending in the United States.

The ADH in collaboration with its community partners will address these issues by highlighting the importance of a healthy lifestyle (- Center for Disease Control and Prevention and The National Academies Press)

The ADH and its community partners will implement strategies to decrease obesity prevalence among Arkansas youths and adults.

Priority Area - Obesity

Obesity

The future Workgroup Members may represent the following agencies and entities, i.e., ADH ITS, ADH LHUs, ADH PH laboratory, private laboratories, public and private providers, contractors, and community partners.

Obesity

Workgroup Action Plan: The work group members will meet and develop workplan for each strategy, which would include objectives, activities, and performance measures specific to the strategy.

Goals, Strategies, and Objectives

Obesity

All Arkansas reach and maintain a healthy weight through a healthy lifestyle

SHIP Partners

Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Arkansas
Arkansas Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI)
Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP)
Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese
Arkansas Department of Agriculture
Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Education (DCCESE)
Arkansas Department of Human Services, SNAP
Arkansas Deptartment of Transportation
Arkansas Farm to School
Arkansas Heart Hospital
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (AHRA)
Arkansas Minority Health Commission
ArCare
Boys and Girls Clubs
Center for Childhood Obesity Prevention - AR Children’s
Consulate of Mexico in Little Rock
Culinary Institutes
Growing Healthy Communities (GHC)/mayors
Healthy Active Arkansas
Hometown Health Improvement Coalitions
Hospitals
Library System
Metroplan
Natural Wonders, AR Children's
Univ of AR Cooperative Extension Services
University of Arkansas Medical School College of Public Health

Resources

Why Is This Important?

Obesity is a complex health condition with biological, economic, environmental, individual and societal causes. Known contributing factors to obesity include social and physical environment, genetics, prenatal and early life influences, and behaviors such as poor diet and physical inactivity.

Adults who have obesity, when compared with adults at a healthy weight, are more likely to have a decreased quality of life and an increased risk of developing serious health conditions, including hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea and breathing problems, some cancers and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Weight stigma, or discrimination and stereotyping based on an individual’s weight, may also negatively influence psychological and physical health. Children with obesity are more likely to be bullied and to have obesity as adults.

The costs associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems are staggering. One study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Beyond direct medical costs, the indirect costs of decreased productivity tied to obesity are estimated at $8.65 billion per year among American workers.

About 2 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States have obesity,¹and many others are overweight.

Definition: Percentage of adults with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight

Data Source & Year(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020

Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, Accessed 2021.

A healthy body weight, as an outcome of good nutrition and physical activity, is important for a person's overall health and well-being. A healthy body weight can help reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. Healthy eating, regular physical activity, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important to managing health conditions so they do not worsen over time.

Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about lifestyle changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Good habits include:

Choose minimally processed whole foods with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains
Drink water or other beverages that are naturally calorie-free
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats, refined and highly processed foods
Avoid overeating by choosing small portions and eating slowly, eat at home, and eat mindfully, enjoying your food
Stay active. If there was a "magic bullet" for good health, physical activity would be it
Limit screen time
Get enough sleep
Relax. Control stress with regular physical activity

Obesity

Strategy 1: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, phase two of SHIP was delayed. In 2022, a new Planning and Implementation Team, with incumbent and new members, will convene to build on the ideas presented by the old team. The planning will finalize the strategies, objectives, and performance measures.

Obesity

Objective 1: The work group members will meet and develop workplan for each strategy, which would include objectives, activities, and performance measures specific to the strategy.

Obesity

PM1: Performance Measures will be directly related to the objectives and strategies. Once the strategy is implemented, the data generated will be plotted for each performance measure yielding a chart or a graph which will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the performance.

Obesity

PM2: Performance Measures will be directly related to the objectives and strategies. Once the strategy is implemented, the data generated will be plotted for each performance measure yielding a chart or a graph which will assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the performance.

Obesity

Strategy 2: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, phase two of SHIP was delayed. In 2022, a new Planning and Implementation Team, with incumbent and new members, will convene to build on the ideas presented by the old team. The planning will finalize the strategies, objectives, and performance measures.

Obesity

Objective 2: The work group members will meet and develop workplan for each strategy, which would include objectives, activities, and performance measures specific to the strategy.

Obesity

Outcome Measures

Obesity

Outcome measures data for Obesity Priority Area

Obesity

% of adult Arkansans who meet federal physical activity guidelines

2019

19.3%

34%

Obesity

% of Arkansas high school students who are physically active at least 1 hour a day, seven days a week

2017

21.4%

-22%

Obesity

Average daily vegetable consumption of adult Arkansans

2017

2.1

17%

Obesity

Average daily vegetable consumption of Arkansas youth

Obesity

Average daily fruit consumption of adult Arkansans

2017

1.4

27%

Obesity

Average daily fruit consumption of Arkansas youth

Obesity

% of Arkansas youth who engaged in 60 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week

2021

40.7%

Obesity

% of Adult Arkansans Who Are Obese

2020

36.4%

18%