The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA) recognizes that New England, like the rest of the US, is currently experiencing a dramatic increase in overweight and obesity, which has many dire consequences for the health of our population. Since the mid-80’s these conditions have increased steadily in both children and adults of all ages.  In addition to variation by region, rates of obesity among adults are approximately twice as high in low income groups compared to those with higher incomes. Obesity is known to increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes and total mortality. It can also increase the risk of cancers of the endometrium, colon, kidney, breast (after menopause), and esophagus. It also increases risks of osteoarthritis and cataracts, as well as contributing to disability and lower quality of life. Overweight and obesity are estimated to be second only to smoking as avoidable causes of death. Informational messages conveyed by healthcare providers, schools and worksites can help control the epidemic.
Priority activities include:

• Identifying and disseminating evidence based interventions;
• Promoting awareness and education for behavior change;
• Environmental modifications for safe and livable – walkable communities
• Healthy eating;
• Sound information on exercise and healthy eating;
• Physical activity; and
• Promoting exercise that provides a combination of aerobic, strength, muscular endurance and flexibility including team and individual sports for people of all ages.

Resources:

Delva, Jorge, L. D. Johnston, and P.M. O'Malley. “The Epidemiology of Overweight and Related Lifestyle Behaviors: Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Status Differences among American Youth,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33:4 Supplement (October 2007) S178-186.

Emery, SL, G.  Szczypka , L. M. Powell and F. J. Chaloupka.  “Public Health Obesity-related TV Advertising:  Lessons Learned from Tobacco, ” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33:4 Supplement (October 2007) S257-263. 

Lavizzo-Mourey, Risa.  “Building the Evidence to Reverse an Epidemic,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33:4 Supplement (October 2007) S162-164.

Maziak W., K.D. Ward and M.B. Stockton MB. “Childhood obesity: are we missing the big picture?” Obesity Reviews 9:1 (January 2008) 35-42.

Patterson, Paul D., Charity C. Moore, Janice C. Probst, and Judith Ann Shinogle.  “Obesity and Physical Inactivity in Rural America,” Journal of Rural  Health 20:2 (Spring 2004) 151-159.

Sallis, James F., Mary Story, and C. Tracy Orleans.  “A Research Perspective on Findings from Bridging the Gap,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 33:4 Supplement (October 2007)S169-171.

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Can Eating Fruits and Vegetables Help People To Manage Their Weight?”
http://www.cdc.gov/ncc...ioner_10_07.pdf

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Health Consequences” http://www.cdc.gov/ncc...onsequences.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Physical Activity for Everyone” http://www.cdc.gov/ncc...lder_adults.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Social Ecological Model”
http://www.cdc.gov/ncc...ms/se_model.htm

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  “State-specific Prevalence of Obesity among Adults--United States, 2005.” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 15:55 (September 2006) 985-988.

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “US Obesity Trends 1985-2006.” http://www.cdc.gov/ncc.../maps/index.htm