The Epidemic
57% of Montana adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
17% of non-Hispanic white adults and 39% of American Indian adults in Montana are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002; Montana AIS, 2003)
The obesity rate among Montana adults increased by 115% from 1990 to 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)
18% of Montana high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC YRBSS, 2001)
Program Priorities
The Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity Program received CDC funding for obesity prevention and control under a previous cooperative agreement, for two years, beginning in 2001. A comprehensive state plan, MOVE Montana… …Healthy Weight Initiative, was completed in early 2003.
Community-based nutrition and physical activity coalitions have developed action plans and implemented pilot interventions in two of the state’s largest population centers (Missoula and Kalispell) and on one Indian reservation (Fort Peck). The focus of these interventions has been on implementing a science-based nutrition and physical activity curriculum—CATCH, SPARK, or Take 10—in selected schools. Additional population areas may be added through competitive grants if funds become available.
Partners
American Diabetes Association
Flathead City County Health Department
Ft. Peck Tribal Health Department
Help Committee/Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-line
Missoula City County Health Department
Montana Dietetic Association
Montana Department of Health & Human Services
Tobacco Prevention Program
WIC Program
Montana Office of Public Instruction
Coordinated School Health Program
School Food Service Program
Team Nutrition Program
Montana Social Norms Project
Montana School Health Program
Montana State University
University of Montana-Missoula
Major Accomplishments and Products to Date
Increased the number of Montana schools participating in the National Walk to School Day to 29 in 2003.
Co-sponsored a three-part training for Montanan American Indian Communities:
The Native American Healthy Schools — Healthy Communities Initiative Summit Part I, March 2003
Defeating Diabetes — What School Food Service Can Do Part II, October 2003
Schools and Communities Working Together for Healthy American Indian Families Defeating Diabetes! Part III April 2004
Completed the School Health Index assessment tool in 65 schools.
Implemented the CATCH curriculum in eight schools.
Co-sponsored the “Fighting the Obesity Epidemic in Indian Country” training, which was broadcast to six western states.
Upcoming Events and Products
A review of and revisions to the state plan.
Expansion of plans for a breast-feeding initiative to increase the number of partners who are actively involved.
Increased attention to promoting policy and environmental change and identification of supporting environmental change indicators in worksite, healthcare and community settings.
Project Period: 2004–2008
Year First Funded: 2001
Funding Stage: Capacity Building
Contact Person:
Lynda Blades, MPH, CHES
Health Education Specialist
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Telephone: 406-444-7324
Fax: 406-444-7465
E-mail:
lblades@state.mt.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
Montana AIS — state survey of the American Indian population
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obes...ms/montana.htm