Health Indicator Report of Obesity among adults

Data were limited to adults aged 25 or older. Adults with a college degree or higher had the lowest rate of obesity of any of the education groups.

Notes

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters.^1^ 1. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/data-trends-maps/help/npao_dtm/definitions.html].   [[br]] [[br]] Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

Data Interpretation Issues

Height and weight are self-reported and are subject to being misreported. To reduce bias and more accurately represent population data, the BRFSS has changed survey methodology. In 2010, it began conducting surveys by cellular phone in addition to landline phones. It also adopted "iterative proportional fitting" (raking) as its weighting method.

Definition

Percentage of respondents aged 18 years and older who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m^2^ calculated from self-reported weight and height.

Numerator

Number of respondents aged 18 years and older who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30.0 kg/m^2^ calculated from self-reported weight and height.

Denominator

Number of respondents aged 18 years and older for whom BMI can be calculated from their self-reported weight and height (excludes unknowns or refusals for weight and height).

Other Objectives

The new U.S. Healthy People 2030 objective is Nutrition and Weight Status 03 (NWS-03): Reduce the proportion of adults with obesity. The U.S. target has been set for 36.0 percent of adults aged 20 or over. See [https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/overweight-and-obesity/reduce-proportion-adults-obesity-nws-03/ Healthy People 2030].

How Are We Doing?

In 5 years, the age-adjusted percentage of adult Utahns that have obesity increased from 29.9% in 2019 to 31.0% in 2023.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The prevalence of obesity in Utah adults is slightly lower than the U.S. In 2023, the age-adjusted obesity prevalence rate in Utah adults was 31.0%, while the prevalence for U.S. adults was 33.1% (18+). Nevertheless, Utah still has a lower obesity rate than most states. See [https://nccd.cdc.gov/BRFSSPrevalence/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=DPH_BRFSS.ExploreByTopic&irbLocationType=StatesAndMMSA&islClass=CLASS14&islTopic=TOPIC09&islYear=2023&rdRnd=1025 map of U.S. obesity rates].

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program plays a key role in improving the health of residents in the state of Utah. The program was formed in July 2013 (as Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care: EPICC), through a new funding opportunity from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This allowed for the merging of three previously existing programs: the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Program, as well as the addition of a school health program. HEAL was recently restructured as part of a strategic planning process. This new program model focuses on staff and partners working together to address the social determinants of health while advancing health equity and increasing policy, systems, and environmental changes. HEAL works: In schools:[[br]] HEAL encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/schools/ schools] to adopt the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/professional_development/e-learning/CSPAP/index.html/ Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program]. This framework encourages students to be physically active for 60 minutes a day through school, home, and community activities. HEAL also works with schools to apply the [https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/index.htm/ Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model], which emphasizes the role of the community in supporting academic and health success for students. In worksites:[[br]] HEAL offers training on developing worksite wellness programs called Work@Health. HEAL partners with local health departments to encourage worksites to complete the CDC Scorecard and participate in yearly health risk assessments for their employees. HEAL provides toolkits and other resources for employers interested in implementing wellness programs at [https://heal.utah.gov/worksite-wellness/ Worksite Wellness]. In communities:[[br]] HEAL receives federal funding to partner with worksites, community-based organizations, and local health departments to increase access to [https://heal.utah.gov/nutrition/ fresh fruits and vegetables] in worksite and community settings. HEAL also partners with local health departments to work with cities and/or counties within their jurisdictions to foster a built environment that encourages [https://heal.utah.gov/physical-activity/ physical activity]. In healthcare:[[br]] HEAL works with health care systems to establish community clinical linkages to support individuals [https://heal.utah.gov/diabetes/ at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes] or hypertension to engage in lifestyle change programs such as chronic disease self-management and diabetes prevention programs. In childcare:[[br]] HEAL works with state and local partners through the Childcare Obesity Prevention workgroup to implement policy and systems changes in early care and education across agencies statewide. Ten local health departments statewide have implemented the [https://heal.utah.gov/top-star-providers/ TOP Star Program], which aims to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding policies and environments to achieve best practices in childcare centers and homes.

Available Services

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services houses the Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program. The [https://heal.utah.gov/ HEAL website] has information on healthy living, including the prevention of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Health Program Information

HEAL is a program within the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Promotion and Prevention. HEAL focuses on enabling education and promoting change for public health by engaging its three main audiences: individuals, partners, and decision makers. HEAL champions public health initiatives and addresses the challenges of making health awareness and access truly universal and equitable in eight key areas: nutrition, heart health, diabetes, physical activity, schools, childcare, community health workers, and worksites. Staff from the HEAL Program work with healthcare providers, including diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists, community health centers, community health workers, worksites, and health plans to improve the care provided to Utahns across the state. [https://heal.utah.gov/about-us/ '''Overarching Goals''']:[[br]] Healthy People: Increase access to resources that empower all people in Utah to reach their full health potential. Healthy Communities: Increase the capacity of communities to support and promote healthy living for all individuals. Equitable Society: Increase opportunities for people who are under-resourced and under-represented in Utah to live healthy and thriving lives.