The Epidemic
61% of Iowa adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
23% of non-Hispanic white adults, 25% of non-Hispanic black adults, and 25% of Hispanic adults in Iowa are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
The obesity rate among Iowa adults increased by 79% from 1990 to 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)
30% of low-income children aged 2–5 years in Iowa are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC PedNSS, 2002)
Program Priorities
In 1999, as it became apparent that obesity was becoming a major health concern, the Iowa Department of Public Health established a Health Promotion Team to align the activities of various bureaus and divisions in the department that address nutrition, physical activity, weight reduction, and disease promotion. With funding from CDC, the Iowa Physical Lifestyle and Nutrition Initiative will be established through the Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention and the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion. Additional private partners will be identified and recruited to ensure diversity.
A number of existing programs and interventions of the Department of Public Health address issues related to obesity prevention:
Mini-grants have been made to seven Iowa communities to develop, implement, evaluate, and institutionalize intervention strategies.
A 5 + 5 Manual was developed that provides guidance for community efforts to encourage individuals to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and to engage in physical activity at least five times a week.
Lighten Up Iowa is a 5-month statewide competition initiated in 2003 in which more than 1,300 10-person teams of adults compete to lose weight through healthy eating and physical activity.
A report was completed on The Prevention of Child and Adolescent Obesity in Iowa.
Pick a better snackTM is a social marketing campaign using mass media and classroom materials to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
A Health Promotion Team Summit focused on overweight/obesity and physical inactivity was held.
A program to distribute free fruits and vegetables to schools is being pilot tested in 25 schools.
Partners
AARP
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
Area Agencies on Aging
Des Moines Child and Adolescence Guidance Center
Five A Day Coalition of Iowa, Inc.
Healthy Child Care
Iowa Academy of Family Practice Physicians
Iowa Association of Physical Health Activity, Recreation and Dance
Iowa Dental Association
Iowa Dental Hygienists Association
Iowa Department of Education (CACFP, Health Education, Team Nutrition, YRBSS)
Iowa Department of Elder Affairs
Iowa Department of Health Programs (cardiovascular health, diabetes, maternal/child health, minority health WIC, WISEWOMAN, Women’s health)
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa Department of Transportation
Iowa Dietetic Association
Iowa Fit Kids Coalition
Iowa Food Policy Council
Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Iowa Games
Iowa Health Systems
Iowa High School Athletic Association
Iowa Lactation Task Force
Iowa Medical Society
Iowa Nutrition Network
Iowa Partners for Healthy Kids
Iowa State University (Extension Service, Cooper Institute, Department of Health and Human Performance)
Iowa Wellness Council
La Clinica
Mercy Children’s Center
Midwest Dairy Council
University of Iowa (Center for Development and Disabilities, Center for Weight Management, Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health,)
University of Northern Iowa (Global Health Institute, Youth Fitness and Obesity Institute)
Wellmark Blue Cross, Blue Shield
Upcoming Events and Products
A kickoff summit will be held to energize partner subgroups and charge subgroups with developing a vision for promoting nutrition and physical activity in Iowa.
The comprehensive state plan for nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention will be developed.
Community forums will be convened to get public input.
The Iowa Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System survey instrument (PedNSS) will be distributed to Iowa child health specialty clinics and school systems
Project Period: 2004–2008
Year First Funded: 2004
Funding Stage: Capacity Building
Contact Person:
Judith Solberg, MPH, RD
Chief, Bureau of Nutrition and Health Promotion
Iowa Department of Public Health
Telephone: 515-281-3713
Fax: 515-281-4913
E-mail:
jsolberg@idph.state.ia.us
Data Sources
CDC BRFSS — CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
CDC PedNSS — CDC’s Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System
CDC YRBSS — CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obes...grams/iowa.htm