Georgia

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). Georgia has received funding for this program since 2003.

The Burden of Obesity in Georgia

Georgia's estimated 2007 total population is over 9.5 million with roughly 7 million adults. Of those adults, approximately 36% are considered overweight and another 29% 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.

• One quarter of Georgia adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only one quarter report eating fruits and vegetables five or more times each day.

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

The problem is not limited to adults alone. Eighteen percent of Georgia youth (9th–12th grades) are overweight and another 14% are obese, according to 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data.

• Only 44% of the youth in these grade levels are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Approximately one-in-five youth eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.
• Approximately one third drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
• Forty-three percent watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Georgia, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $2.1 billion in 2003 dollars. 

What is Georgia Doing about Obesity?

The Georgia Nutrition and Physical Activity Program has piloted several programs that impact individuals and help to improve policies and environments, including the following:

• Smart Choices promotes healthy items in vending machines and concession stands across Georgia parks and recreation facilities. Six sites participated in the initial pilot program, and ten local public health districts have been funded to implement the program in 2009. In 2005, Georgia adopted the Georgia Recreation and Parks Healthy Vending Resolution to provide healthier items for vending machines and concession stands.
• A faith-based toolkit, Live Healthy in Faith—A Faith Community Guide to Promoting Nutrition and Physical Activity, was developed to expand the capacity of faith-based organizations to promote healthy behaviors. Trainings have taken place across the state to assist faith communities with implementing healthy eating and physical activity programs.
• The Healthy School Award Program recognizes schools that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free programs.
• Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline provides classes in the Metro Atlanta area. Operation Frontline's purpose is to teach low-income families and individuals how to prepare nutritious meals on a limited budget. A chef and nutrition assistant lead each class in the planning and preparation of a healthy meal while providing nutrition education. This program will hopefully expand to sites throughout the state.

Georgia provides grant funding to communities on two levels. Major projects are underway in two communities (Waycross and Augusta) to pilot nutrition and physical activity programs. In addition, funding is given to local health districts to build nutrition and physical activity coalitions and to implement skill building activities for breastfeeding promotion, healthy eating, and physical activity.

Through all these activities, Georgia and CDC are addressing obesity by creating places where Georgians can make healthy choices about nutrition and physical activity.

For more information:
Sonya Crutchfield, MPH
Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Manager Georgia Department of Community Health Division of Public Health
2 Peachtree Street, 16-233
Atlanta, Georgia  30303
Phone:  (404) 657-6523
Fax:  (770) 357-9803
Email:  smcrutchfield@dhr.state.ga.us

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