Obesity Discussion Forums

[Obesity Discussion]

The Epidemic
59% of Illinois adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
20% of non-Hispanic white adults, 33% of non-Hispanic black adults, and 29% of Hispanic adults in Illinois are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
30% of low-income children between two and five years of age in Illinois are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC PedNSS, 2002)
The obesity rate among Illinois adults doubled between 1990 and 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)

Program Priorities
The Obesity Steering Committee has completed a variety of different activities in preparation for formalizing the obesity prevention partnership and beginning the development of the state plan, including

Creating a framework and timetable for developing the state plan.
Determining the subcommittee structure for the Nutrition and Physical Activity (NUPA) partnership.
Identifying and beginning to recruit potential subcommittee members.
Developing recommendations for determining plan objectives.

Partners
Abbott Laboratories
Alexian Brothers Health Network
Children’s Memorial Hospital/Consortium to Lower Obesity in the Children of Chicago (COLC)
Eastern Illinois University
Illinois Associaton for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Illinois Association of School Administration
Illinois Dietetic Association
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois State University
Local health departments statewide
Midwest Hispanic Health Coalition
Pepsico/Quaker
Mt. Sinai Community Institute
Quad Cities Health Initiative — Rock Island
Rockford Health Council — Rockford
Shawnee Health System — Carterville
Sinai Urban Health Institute — Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension Program

Recent Accomplishments and Products
A pilot program of mini-grants to six Millennium Neighborhoods throughout Illinois to identify strategies for obesity prevention and control.
Strategic formulation sessions for obesity subcommittees.
A position paper submitted to the state legislature in response to House Resolution 147, which required IDPH, in collaboration with ISBE, to conduct a Sugar Consumption Study.
A nutrition and physical activity listserv.
An electronic needs and inventory assessment tool for county health departments.
Physical activity and obesity survey questions for inclusion in the Illinois County Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Upcoming Events and Products
A statewide inventory of nutrition and physical activity programs and services.
A review of existing data sets and a plan to address new data needs.
An online county health department nutrition/physical activity assessment survey.
Project Period: 2003–2008
Year First Funded: 2003
Funding Stage: Capacity Building
Contact Person:
Jeff Sunderlin
Program Coordinator
Illinois Department of Public Health
Telephone: 217-785-1060
Fax: 217-782-1235
E-mail: jsundrl@idph.state.il.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...s/illinois.htm

[Obesity Discussion]

Survey Reveals Answers To Humboldt Park Obesity

Bernie Tafoya Reporting

CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A new survey is coming out over the weekend on the reasons so many residents of one Chicago community are obese.

As WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports, a few years ago, a survey found 35% of Humboldt Park adults and 50% of children in that near northwest side community were.

Following that survey, a number of groups joined forces to fight the problem. The coalition is called: Community Organizing for Obesity Prevention in Humboldt Park (COOP-HP)

COOP-HP wanted to mount an attack against the problem but wanted more specific reasons. The survey being released Saturday provides that.

It says:

• More physical activity is needed for both children and adults. Most community kids have only about two days of physical education a week in school, most aren’t on an organized sports team, and nearly half spend more than three hours a day in front of a TV, video game, or computer.

• People in Humboldt Park need greater access to supermarkets and fresh produce that is affordable for even low- income families.

• Increased education about healthy lifestyles and healthy weight is needed. Many obese Humboldt Park residents believed that they were an appropriate weight for their height, and 90 percent of caregivers of obese children did not report them to be overweight.

Dr. Katherine Christoffel of Children’s Memorial Research Center says the coalition is beginning to address the problem. There are three programs for more easily and affordably getting fresh produce to Humboldt Park residents.

A new exercise program for women, called Muevete! (Move!) has begun and teaches residents that getting fit can be fun.


Obesity Programs in Illinois

[Obesity Discussion]

Southern Illinois University promotes teaching physical education to combat obesity

CARBONDALE -- Physical education is an important part of a child's school day, but many programs are being cut because of budget problems. News 3’s Kevin Hunsperger spent time at a conference on the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale campus aimed at helping teachers get more creative when it's time for P.E.

As the number of obese children continues to rise in the country, physical education instructors are looking for new ways to attack the problem. That's why the kinesiology department at SIUC is hosting the third annual Physical Education and Health Conference, an event held only in the northern part of the state.

"We don't have the resources, the money,” said Tony Calabrese, kinesiology instructor. “A lot of teachers can't go up there. So we decided to start our own. If we could form an organization and network, we could make it a lot easier down here."

Calabrese, an event organizer, said more than 40 physical education teachers and 60 SIUC students are participating. They're learned more about new standards for physical education.

Department chair Elaine Blinde said the kinesiology department has a lot to offer.

"We do a lot of different things,” said Blinde. “Teacher education is important. We have athletic training programs, etc. It's a very diverse field."

Calabrese said the best way to get children involved in physical activity is by starting off slow and do a little bit every day.

"When I was teaching we would start off with the kids walking or running a 1/4 mile in September,” said Calabrese. “By the end of the school year in April, they were running three miles.

And it's not all about being physical. People at this conference learned about cup stacking, known as Speed Stacks. The activity improves concentration and hand eye coordination. Calabrese said getting into shape is also a mental process.

"We think this rules this, but this really rules this,” said Calabrese. “Even athletics has little to do with the physical. If it did the strongest, fastest would win everything and that doesn't always happen."

The State of Children's Health report by the Illinois Kids Count program encourages more physical education in schools. They found nearly 32 percent of all children between 10 and 17 are overweight or at risk of being overweight.

Childhood Obesity