The Epidemic
55% of Massachusetts adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
18% of non-Hispanic white adults, 30% of non-Hispanic black adults, and 22% of Hispanic adults in Massachusetts are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
24% of Massachusetts high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC YRBSS, 2003)
The obesity rate among Massachusetts adults increased by 81% from 1990 to 2000. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)
Program Priorities
The Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Weight has completed a 5-year statewide plan, The Health of Massachusetts: A Coordinated Response to Overweight and Obesity, focused on policy and system-wide approaches to increasing healthy eating and physical activity. An event is planned to publicize the plan’s release. New work groups are focusing on the following areas:
Infrastructure
Policy/advocacy curriculum development
School-based health centers and enhanced school health services
Worksites
The elderly
A report on the burden of obesity, The Health of Massachusetts: Impact of Overweight and Obesity, has also been completed.
One major intervention is currently underway:
5-2-1 Go! is a school-based overweight prevention initiative that uses the Planet Health curriculum and the School Health Index. The goal is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, increase physical activity, and decrease time spent watching television and playing computer games. Baseline data have been collected on 95% of students enrolled in the program. Final data collection will be completed by June 2004.
Partners
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
BlueCross/BlueShield of Massachusetts
Boston Medical Center
Boston Organization of Black Dietitians
Children’s Hospital
Greater Boston American Red Cross
Haitian Health Institute
Harvard Prevention Research Center
Harvard School of Public Health
Latino Health Association
Institute for Community Health
Massachusetts Academy of Pediatrics
Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids
Massachusetts Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Massachusetts Bike Coalition
Massachusetts Department of Education
Massachusetts Highway Department
Massachusetts Parks and Recreation Department
Massachusetts Public Health Association
Massachusetts School Food Service Association
Massachusetts Rails to Trails
The Medical Foundation
National Park Service
REACH Community Health Foundation
Simmons College
Tufts University
United Way of Massachusetts Bay
University of Massachusetts Extension Service
YMCA Alliance
Walk Boston
Recent Accomplishments and Products
Compiled a directory of multidisciplinary pediatric overweight treatment programs across the state.
Completed 5-2-1 Go!, a 2-year school-based overweight prevention initiative in 13 public and private schools across the state.
Implemented Healthy Choices, a before/after school nutrition and physical activity program, in 12 schools.
Collaborated with MDPH Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to integrate nutrition and physical activity questions into a health survey administered to middle and high school students.
The Office of Child Care Services implemented regulations to include a requirement to increase physical activity of children in state-regulated child care sites.
Upcoming Events and Products
Award of mini-grants to 12 schools for Healthy Choices Programs to integrate use of the School Health Index Tool and improve the school nutrition and physical activity environment.
Development of a Web site devoted to the Partnership for Healthy Weight and the state plan.
Development of a community-based intervention to increase community walkways.
A conference sponsored by the Massachusetts School Food Service Association for school food service staff to raise their awareness of their role in overweight prevention.
Training for child care providers using the H.E.A.L.T.H.Y. KIDS curriculum.
Project Period: 2003–2008
Year First Funded: 2000
Funding Stage: Basic Implementation
Contact Person:
Maria Bettencourt, MPH, LN
Program Coordinator
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Telephone: 617-624-5470
Fax: 617-624-5075
E-mail:
maria.bettencourt@state.ma.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...sachusetts.htm