California Department of Public Health Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPH Director and State Health Officer California Department of Public Health Obesity in California

California Department of Public Health

Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPHDirector and State Health Officer


Obesity in California“Prevention is the Best

Treatment”


Obesity Rates

• Obesity rates nearly tripled among low-income children and teens in California over the past 30 years.1

• Nearly one in three California youth ages 10 – 17 years are overweight or obese.2

• In 1985 nearly 8% of adults in California were obese. In 2010 that tripled to almost 24%.3


Overweight Obese

Children (low-income 2-4 years) 2010United StatesCalifornia95% C.I. for California

16.1%16.1%

16.0%,16.2%

17.3%14.4%

14.3%,14.5%

Youth (10-17 years) 2011-2012United StatesCalifornia95% C.I. for California

15.3%15.5%

10.5%,20.5%

16.4%15.0%

9.9%,20.1%

Adults 2012United StatesCalifornia95% C.I. for California

35.8% 35.3%

34.2%,36.5%

27.6%25.0%

23.9%,26.0%

Obesity Rates: US vs. CA by Age Group


• Obesity rates among low-income children age 2 – 4 years in California declined 2008-2011.

Obesity Rates


• In California obesity-attributable medical costs were $15.2 billion annually (2009 dollars) with 41.5% publically financed.4

• Lost productivity costs associated with overweight and obesity in California were $8.2 billion (2006 data)5

• If adult BMI was reduced by 5% California could save $81.7 billion in obesity-related health care costs by 2030.6

The Cost of Obesity in California


• Obesity increases the risk of many health conditions:2

– Coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure – Type 2 diabetes – Cancers, such as endometrial, breast, and colon cancer – High total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides– Liver and gallbladder disease– Sleep apnea and respiratory problems– Degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint

(osteoarthritis)– Reproductive health complications such as infertility– Mental health conditions

• Contributes to some of the leading causes of preventable death3

Health Consequences of Obesity


Strategic Priorities to Prevent Obesity and Chronic Disease

• Increase access to and consumption of healthy foods and drink

• Decrease access to and consumption of less healthy foods and drinks

• Increase opportunities for safe physical activity through healthy community/transportation design

• Decrease sedentary behavior


Obesity Factors

Protective Factors Risk Factors

• Breastfeeding5 – Exclusive (only breast milk) for at

least 6 months – Longer duration

• Dietary practices– Fruit and vegetable

consumption6-11

Regular physical activity17-18

• Dietary practices– Sugar-sweetened beverages12-15

– High calorie, low nutrient foods16

• Screen time – Television viewing19-21

• Sedentary behavior


• Nearly half of the added sugars consumed by Americans come from SSB6

Children and adolescents who consume more SSB have higher body weight compared to those who drink less, and some evidence also supports this relationship in adults12-15

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) and Obesity


• Proportion of adolescents who drank 2 or more glasses of soda or other sugary drinks per day– California target 17%– California baseline1 27%– California update2 30%

– National target N/A– National baseline3 20%– National update4 19%

Let’s Get Healthy California Indicator:Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Adolescents

1 2009 California Health Interview Survey2 2011 California Health Interview Survey3 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 9th – 12th grader students4 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 9th – 12th grader students


• Strong evidence indicates that regular PA helps people maintain a healthy weight and prevent excess weight gain17,18

• Proportion of Californians who get the recommended amount of PA– 45.6% of preschoolers27

– 30.4% of school-age children27 – 16.1% of adolescents27 – 25.3% of adults28

Physical Activity (PA) in California


• Walking, bicycling, and public transit use contributes to daily physical activity, aerobic fitness, and cardiovascular health while helping to protect against obesity, diabetes, and other diseases1–9

• Active transportation in the US has decreased over time.

• Each additional hour per day spent in a car is associated with a 6% increase in the likelihood of obesity (59)

Active Transport and Obesity


Safe Physical Activity and Active Transportation

• Design communities to safely accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit users as well as vehicles – complete streets

• Safe Routes to School• Partner with transportation and traffic safety

agencies on California Transportation Plan 2040 and Public Transit Plan


• Proportion of children and adolescents who score 6 of 6 on the required California school Fitnessgram test

Grade 5 7 9

– California target 36% 46% 52%

– California baseline1 25% 32% 37%

– California update N/A N/A N/A

– National target NC NC NC

– National baseline2 NC NC NC

– National update2 NC NC NC

Let’s Get Healthy California Indicator: Fitnessgram, Youth

1 2010-2011 California Fitness Report2 NC = No comparable national data source


• Living closer to healthy food retail is associated with decreased risk for obesity and other diet-related diseases42

There are 2.2 farmers’ markets per 100,000 residents in California (vs. 2.5 nationally)43

• Nearly one-third of adults in California reported having limited access to quality, affordable, and fresh FV in their neighborhood33

Access to Healthy Food and Obesity


• Those living near an abundance of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores have a significantly higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes44

• Fast-food restaurants are often located near schools,45 and such close proximity has been linked to increased risk of obesity in schoolchildren46

• In 2005, there were 4 times as many fast food restaurants and convenience stores than supermarkets and produce vendors in CA47

Access to Unhealthy Food and Obesity


• Proportion of adults who have consumed fruits and vegetables five or more times per day– California target 34%– California baseline1 28%– California update2 27%

– National target N/A– National baseline1 24%– National update3 NC

Let’s Get Healthy California Indicator: Fruits and Vegetables, Adults

1 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey2 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey3 NC = No comparable national data source is available – data no longer reported in the same format


Behavior Change Programs

Increase referrals to, and use of, behavior change programs for people with chronic disease that increase physical activity, healthy eating and self-management•Walk With Ease•Chronic Disease Self-Management Program •Diabetes Self-Management Education•WISEWOMAN


California Wellness Plan Goals

Overarching: Equity in Health and Wellness

1.Healthy Communities2.Optimal Health Systems Linked with Community Preventive Services3.Accessible and Usable Health Information4.Prevention Sustainability and Capacity


Advancing Prevention in the 21st Century

• February 13-14, 2014 in Sacramento• Four Focus Areas with strategies and

action steps for collaborative work over the next 2 years

• Showcase best practices• Obtain commitments from partners to

contribute resources to Focus AreasKeynote presentations will be available online


California Obesity Prevention Plan

•Developed in 2006 with extensive stakeholder input– Plan updated in 2010– To be updated again in 2014

• Current data and trends• Streamline and focus strategies

•Used to:– Guide CDPH’s obesity prevention work – Provide background information for the public– Inform:

• grant proposals• program strategies and policy for partners


Nutrition Education and Obesity PreventionNEOP

• Local assistance grants to local health departments and community organizations

• Training and technical assistance– Breastfeeding trainings– Local school wellness support

• Resources– Case studies– Toolkits– Nutrition standards– The NEOP Children’s Power Play! Campaign improved

daily fruits and vegetables intake

Documents

California Department of Public Health Ronald W. Chapman, MD, MPH Director and State Health Officer California Department of Public Health Obesity in California