Colorado

Overweight and obesity have tremendous consequences on our nation's health and economy. Both are linked to a number of chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers. Most American communities are characterized by unhealthy options when it comes to diet and physical activity. We need public health approaches that make healthy options easy, affordable, and available for all Americans.

CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) currently funds 25 states to address the problems of obesity and other chronic diseases through statewide efforts with multiple partners.  The program's primary focus is to create policy and environmental changes to increase: physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and breastfeeding; and to decrease: television viewing, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and consumption of high-energy dense foods (high calorie/low nutrient foods). Colorado has received funding for this program since 2001.

The Burden of Obesity in Colorado

Colorado's estimated 2007 total population is just under 5 million, with 3.7 million adults. Of those adults, 36% are considered overweight and another 19% are considered obese, according to 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Problems are also seen in factors related to obesity and other chronic diseases.

• Seventeen percent of Colorado adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only one quarter report eating fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

Also, the National Immunization Survey shows that Colorado is not meeting two of the five Healthy People 2010 goals for breastfeeding based on children born in 2005.

The problem is not limited to adults alone. About 10% of youth (9th-12th grades) are overweight, and another 10% are obese, according to 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data.

• Approximately two-in-five youth in these grade levels are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Only 19% eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.
• Twenty-seven percent watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Colorado, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $874 million in 2003 dollars. 

What is Colorado Doing about Obesity?

The Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (COPAN) has played an integral role in the structuring of Live Well Colorado, a nonprofit organization formed by the Colorado Health Foundation, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and Kaiser Permanente. In 2006, COPAN provided funding for eight communities to mobilize partners, collect data, conduct needs assessments, and create a community action plan. In 2007, Live Well Colorado was launched and began providing funds to communities to implement healthy eating and active living changes, reaching over 87,000 Colorado residents in the first year. In 2009, 25 communities were funded through Live Well.

In addition to projects from Live Well Colorado, COPAN has also been involved in other efforts across the state, including the following:

• Get Fit Colorado is the nutrition and physical activity equivalent to a tobacco-cessation Quitline. This project, piloted in rural areas of the state, initially reached 400 residents and resulted in an average weight loss of 6%.
• The Smart Meal Seal program, in partnership with McDonalds and numerous other restaurants, provides point-of-decision prompts for restaurant meals identified as healthier choices.
• COPAN has contracted with The Food Trust to conduct a statewide grocery retail assessment to identify locations that are called “food deserts”, meaning that they lack access to healthy foods. The Food Trust will provide training for Colorado communities on how to address these food deserts.

COPAN is also working with partners to promote breastfeeding best-practices in hospitals statewide, promote worksite wellness and early childhood obesity prevention, and link health and physical activity promotion to local planning through active community environments.

Several related state-wide bills have been passed in Colorado, including bills that:

• Allow mothers to breastfeed in any location they have a right to be (Senate Bill 88).
• Provide workplace accommodations for nursing mothers (House Bill 1276).
• Create programs to make free fruits and vegetables available to students in public schools (Senate Bill 127).
• Create a Safe Routes to Schools program to promote active communities and lifestyles with Department of Transportation funds (House Bill 309). 

In 2008, School Beverage Standards (SB 129) were enacted, requiring elementary and middle schools to sell only water, milk, or 100% juice. High schools also follow the standards, but are allowed sports drinks. Soft drinks are banned in all schools.

Through these activities Colorado and CDC are addressing obesity by creating places where Colorado residents can make healthy choices about nutrition and physical activity.

For more information:
Eric Aakko, MS, CHES
Director, Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition (COPAN) Program
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Telephone: 303-692-2606
E-mail: eric.aakko@state.co.us
Web site: www.cdphe.state.co.us/pp/COPAN/COPAN.html
www.livewellcolorado.org

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