PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Obesity among adults

Why Is This Important?

Obesity is a costly and serious chronic condition.^1^ Adults who have obesity are at an increased risk of other health conditions and diseases, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, stroke, gallbladder disease, and osteoarthritis. The economic impacts of obesity include an estimated $173 billion in annual medical care costs.^2^ While there is no single solution to addressing obesity, state and local organizations, communities, and individuals can create environments that support healthy lifestyles. This includes supporting Family Healthy Weight Programs, healthy eating and active living in community settings, and implementing early care and education policies.^3^ To learn more about how the Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program is supporting these strategies, visit [https://heal.utah.gov/ heal.utah.gov][[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html/ Overweight and Obesity][[br]] 2. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html/ Consequences of Obesity][[br]] 3. CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/php/about/obesity-strategies-what-can-be-done.html]

Obesity in the U.S. and in Utah continues to increase.

Data 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.[[br]] [[br]]U.S. data does not include U.S. territories, but does include Dist. of Columbia.[[br]] [[br]] Beginning in 2011, BRFSS data include both landline and cell phone respondent data along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. Comparisons between 2011 and prior years should be made with caution. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf].

Risk Factors

There are things that people can do that can reduce their risk of obesity. Behaviors such as engaging in physical activity and having a healthy diet can have a significant impact on reducing the risk (see [https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/consequences.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Overweight & Obesity: Adult Obesity Causes & Consequences.]).

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.

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.