http://www.health.ri.gov/disease/obesity/home.htm
The Epidemic
56% of Rhode Island adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002)
18% of non-Hispanic white adults, 23% of non-Hispanic black adults, and 22% of Hispanic adults in Rhode Island are obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2002).
The obesity rate for Rhode Island adults rose by 67% from 1990 to 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2002)
23% of Rhode Island high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC YRBSS, 2001)
Program Priorities
The Rhode Island obesity prevention program—Initiative for a Healthy Weight (IHW)—received CDC funding for three years, beginning in 2000, under a previous cooperative agreement. The IHW has five long-term goals:
Develop and implement a state plan and increase the number of local plans.
Decrease population disparities in obesity rates.
Increase the number of obesity prevention policies, environmental supports and/or legislative actions planned.
Increase physical activity and healthy eating.
Decrease levels of obesity in communities reached through interventions.
IHW will implement the state plan, focusing on the populations of six core cities in Rhode Island that are at highest risk for obesity-related health problems. The burden of obesity in Rhode Island will be continually monitored, focusing on both the overall burden on the population and the relative burden in diverse populations.
IHW staff is committed to integrating their efforts with related programs of the Rhode Island Department of Health, especially those dealing with chronic diseases, providing technical assistance, and working collaboratively with other programs doing community-based and state-level policy work to improve the health of Rhode Islanders.
Partners
The Rhode Island Obesity Planning Council is a 140-member coalition with representatives from state government, state agencies, academic institutions, the business and medical communities, and public and private nonprofit organizations and institutions that will provide the basis for the new program’s planning and implementation partnerships.
Accomplishments and Products to Date
Rhode Island achieved a number of successes during its previous period of CDC funding for obesity prevention:
A successful public-private partnership of more than 100 members was established.
A draft five-year state plan was developed.
National and state data sources were used to define and monitor the burden of obesity.
A pilot school policy and environmental intervention was implemented and evaluated.
IHW supported five other community partners that piloted programs in work sites, communities, schools and the health care system.
IHW Received the World Health Day 2002 Award from the American Association for World Health/World Health Organization, recognizing the program’s leadership in evaluating and implementing statewide nutrition and physical activity programs.
IHW helped develop and disseminate the NECON Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Overweight and Obesity in New England.
IHW obtained a seat on the state Transportation Advisory Committee to advocate for active transportation policies.
Upcoming Events and Products
The Obesity Planning Council will update the state plan using the State Plan Index.
A new request for proposals to implement state plan recommendations will be issued in fall 2004.
Focus groups will be held in high-risk communities to identify barriers to implementation.
A report on the burden of obesity for Rhode Island will be completed.
A new Web site will be unveiled.
Project Period: 2004–2008
Year First Funded: 2004
Funding Stage: Capacity Building
Contact Person:
Toushoua Xiong
Program Manager
Rhode Island Department of Health
Telephone: 401-222-1087
Fax: 401-222-4415
E-mail:
toushouaX@doh.state.ri.us
Web site:
http://www.health.ri.gov/disease/obesity/home.htm
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...ode_island.htm 
Linear Mode
