Obesity Prevention/Physical Activity/Nutrition

More than one-third of U.S. adults (over 72 million people) and 17 perecent of U.S. children are obese. During 1980–2008, obesity rates doubled for adults and tripled for children. The cause for the obesity endemic in the United States stems from a variety of factors. During the past several decades, obesity rates for all population groups—regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, or geographic region—have increased substantially.

NACCHO, in cooperation with the CDC, seeks to address these issues and develop interventions through evidence-based, cost-effective strategies which can have a significant impact on our nation's health. As a result, the CDC has identified obesity, nutrition, and physical activity as winnable battles. CDC supports several approaches to combat obesity, including, but not limited to, improving the food environments in schools and workplaces; reducing sodium levels in processed and restaurant foods; and increasing the number of people who meet recommended physical activity guidelines.

Local health departments (LHDs) play a crucial role in the identification, management and prevention of obesity. Through program initiatives and community outreach, LHDs will be called upon to investigate methods which influence individual behavior modification as well as community dynamics and how they factor into nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

Progress in obesity management and prevention are being made by developing policies, systems, and environmental initiatives that help make healthy choices available, affordable, and easy.

Our current projects include the following:

• Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and EnVironmental changE (ACHIEVE)
• Leadership for Healthy Communities
• Collaborate for Healthy Weight