Center for Health Transformation Georgia Project

Abnormal Lipids in Young People

A report released by the CDC in January of this year reports that twenty percent of young people aged 12-19 years in the U.S. have at least one abnormal lipid level.  Abnormal lipid levels are major risk factors for heart disease, the leading cause of death among adults in the U.S.

The report examined data for 1999–2006 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).  The survey is an ongoing study that explores the health and nutritional status of about 6000 participants each year.   The researchers analyzed measurements of the major types of fat that circulate in the body: LDL or low-density lipoprotein [“bad” cholesterol]; HDL or high density lipoprotein [“good” cholesterol]; and triglycerides, a type of fat that provides your body with energy.

The researchers found that young people who were overweight or obese were more likely to have one or more abnormal lipid levels compared to normal weight youth. One or more abnormal lipid levels were found in fourteen percent of normal weight youth, 22 percent of overweight youth, and 43 percent of obese youth.

This is yet another report supporting the need to improve the health of our children. 

Obesity is Now as Big a Threat to Health as Smoking

A study reported last week in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine concluded that America's obesity epidemic has become as big a threat to our health as smoking.  Researchers from Columbia University and the City College of New York reported that their calculation of health loss from obesity [measured in Quality-Adjusted Health Years] is now equal to, if not greater than, those lost from smoking.  Smoking was found to have a bigger impact on death while obesity has a bigger impact on illness.  The findings are based on a national health survey of 3.5 million U.S. adults.

This study reinforces our need to focus on the solutions to decreasing the obesity epidemic in America.  The cost of obesity in quality of life, productivity, and dollars is something that we can change.  We will continue to highlight successful solutions to the obesity epidemic. 

As a follow up to the Microsoft HealthVault project "Be Well Columbus, Georgia" a video has been posted on the Microsoft HealthVault website highlighting the project.  Columbus, Georgia joins other health stories on the Microsoft website that embody Microsoft's vision to improve health around the world through software innovation.  Congratulations to the Columbus Research Foundation for leading this effort and getting Georgia 'on the map!'

State Obesity Rankings Available and the News Isn't Good

The latest state obesity rankings are available in a report released today by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.  Georgia's adult obesity rate is 27.9% with a state ranking of 14.  The rate of obese and overweight children in Georgia is 37.3% with a state ranking of 3.

The percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.  Mississippi had the highest rate of obese and overweight children at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate at 23.1 percent.

Recommendations from the report, F as in Fat:  How Obesity Policies are Failing America 2009, include providing health foods and beverages to students at school; increasing the availability of affordable healthy foods in all communities; and increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity at school.

We would like to hear about community projects that are successfully addressing obesity.  What are the characteristics of healthy communities?  How do we change the current culture to one of health?

The Recession and Weight Gain

There is discussion recently on the effect of the recession on our health - Newsweek recently reported on new data released exclusively to them from Gallup-Healthways showing that in the past year, the number of Americans considered obese has jumped by 1.7 percent—or almost 5.5 million people.  There is speculation that the increased stress from the recession and the added burden of the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables are leading to weight gain.

Activity and exercise are definitely healthy ways to cope with stress.  Share your ideas on healthy ways to manage stress in a down economy.  Share your experience with summer gardens and other solutions to getting fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Be Well Columbus, Georgia Awards Ceremony

The Be Well Columbus, Georgia Awards Ceremony was held on May 18th at Arnold Magnet Academy, school of the winning homeroom.  The Be Well Columbus, Georgia Project is a pilot project instituted through the Muscogee County School District 7^th graders and was made possible by a grant the Columbus Research Foundation received from the Microsoft HealthVault Be Well Fund.  During a three month period from January 17 until April 24, 2009, participating students were encouraged to increase their physical activity as they took a virtual walk across the United States and to check their daily meal, snack and drink intake.  This data was logged on the Be Well Columbus, Georgia/Walk to Microsoft website, which was developed specifically for this project. 

 

After words from Mayor Jim Wetherington, Bill Reid of Microsoft Corporation, Laura Linn of the Center for Health Transformation, Mike Gaymon of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Valerie Fuller of the MCSD, and Susan Wood of the Muscogee County Council of PTA's, awards were presented to the students by Royce Ann Adkins and Pam Tinkler of the Columbus Research Foundation.

 

First place went to Mrs. Ronda Allen's homeroom at Arnold Magnet Academy.  The 7th grade students in this homeroom were the first to log enough miles walked to reach Bellevue, Washington, home of the Microsoft Corporation.  The 2nd place winner was the homeroom of Mrs. Sara Davis at Marshall Middle School; 3rd place went to the home room of Mrs. Melissa Niemi at Arnold. 

 

The overall goal of the project was to teach and instill healthy lifestyle choices in the area’s adolescents, thereby preventing diabetes and other metabolic disorders associated with being overweight.  Over 1000 students participated in the project.  It was encouraging to see adolescents engaged in their health.  This project serves as a great model for other communities interested in improving the health of their children.

Let's Commit to Changing the Trends in Childhood Obesity

Overweight and obesity is increasing in children.  CDC reports that data from NHANES surveys (1976–1980 and 2003–2006) show that the prevalence of obesity has increased  for children aged 2–5 years from 5.0% to 12.4%; for those aged 6–11 years from 6.5% to 17.0%; and for those aged 12–19 years from 5.0% to 17.6%.  According to the CDC, the increase in childhood obesity is due to the interaction of a number of factors, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.  The result is a child who consumes more calories than they use and that causes overweight and obesity.

The major behavioral factors that lead to obesity include:

·         food intake

o   sugar-sweetened drinks

o   large portion sizes

o   frequent snacking on energy dense foods

·         physical activity

o   Daily participation in school physical education among adolescents dropped 14 percentage points over the last 13 years — from 42% in 1991 to 28% in 2003.

o   Less than one-third (28%) of high school students meet currently recommended levels of physical activity.

·         sedentary behavior

o   increased time spent watching TV, playing video games, and other computer activities.

Environmental factors that can influence a child’s behavior related to food intake and physical activity include home, child care, school, and community environments.

·         Home environment: parents are role models for their children.  A home environment that models healthy eating and physical activity has a positive impact on the health of the children.

·         Child care: almost 80% of children aged 5 years and younger with working mothers are in child care for 40 hours a week on average.  The approach to food and physical activity during this developmental time is critical to developing healthy habits.

·         Schools: physical education and healthy meals are basic responsibilities of the schools.  Implementing programs that create a culture of health in the schools is a goal that should be set.

·         Communities: access to physical activity opportunities and access to affordable and healthy foods in the community are keys to a healthy community.

As we develop ‘21^st Century Healthy Communities’ these factors are important to consider as a basis for solutions to the problems of overweight and obesity in our nation.  As we approach the summer months, make a resolution to implement one solution to improve food choices and one solution to increase activity in your family.  This can be as simple as changing from ‘sweet’ to ‘unsweet’ tea and taking a family walk after dinner.  Start your family on a healthier path today.

Increasing your Activity

One of my colleag ues and I are trying out a new technology that is aimed at increasing non-exercise activity.  According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 60% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese.  Studies conducted over the last 20 years to determine both the causes of obesity and the reasons for the continued increase in the U.S. obesity rates determined that our society has become more sedentary, that non-exercise movement has decreased to a point where many Americans are taking in more calories than they are able to burn. The belief is that the key to reversing this obesity trend is to add physical movement back into a person's day. This is not "organized exercise" such as running or working out but rather it is taking the stairs, walking and generally being more active.

The Gruve device is a small omnidirectional accelerometer that measures activity intensity and duration.  It provides a personalized, quantifiable measure of activities and the calories burned throughout the day.  Synchronizing the device with the Gruve web site gives you the ability to view your own daily calorie burn and track your weight loss progress.  The device also tracks your progress towards your daily goal and lets you know with a colored light system how you are progressing.  You can get more information on this interesting solution for increasing activity at www.muveit.com/ .  We will keep you posted on our evaluation.

How Are You Getting in Shape This Year? Any 'Miis' out There?

I am a real fan of the Wii Fit product as a way to increase activity and get into shape.  I started with the Wii Fit software last June and have advanced to Jillan Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009.  Both programs allow you to set fitness goals and track your progress.  The workouts can be modified to meet your needs - from weight loss to strength training.  For me the 'defining moment'  was having to face the metrics - the Wii Balance Board doesn't lie.  Seeing the weight and BMI on the graph was a real wake up call.  The round little Mii wasn't so easy to face, either.  After 7 months my 'Mii' is looking better and so am I.  Let us know how you are meeting your fitness goals this year!

Just Move!

Obesity is a growing problem in the U. S.  According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 60% of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. A major focus of the CHT 21^st Century Healthy Community Project is to decrease the incidence of obesity in the communities.  We are constantly evaluating solutions to identify those that have proven success in improving the health of individuals. 

One organization that has a great solution for corporations to address the obesity issue is Muve, Inc. Formed in 2007 with the goal of reversing the obesity epidemic in the United States and globally, Muve, Inc. has based their solutions on studies that have determined that a major cause of our obesity epidemic is our society becoming more sedentary.  This results in a decrease in non-exercise movement to a point where many Americans are taking in more calories than they are able to burn.  They support that the key to reversing the obesity trend is to add physical movement back into a person's day - not "organized exercise" such as running or working out but rather taking the stairs, walking and generally being more active.

The term used for this type of activity is N.E.A.T. – Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis.  According to Mayo Clinic research N.E.A.T. is defined as all activity that occurs during a 24 hour period that is not exercise specific activity.

The key to weight management is to accurately measure and proactively increase your N.E.A.T. level.  The components of the Muve solution is threefold – [1]  a device that you wear on your waist that accurately measures your personal caloric burn throughout the day; [2] an interactive website that allows you to track your daily progress; and [3]  support and motivation through coaches.

 

For more information on this innovative solution visit www.muve.me