Iowa

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). Iowa has received funding for this program since 2004.

The Burden of Obesity in Iowa

Iowa's estimated 2007 total population is almost 3 million with 2.2 million adults. Of those adults, approximately 37% are considered overweight and another 28% 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.

• Approximately one-in-five Iowa adults report no leisure time physical activity over the past month.
• Only one-in-five adults report eating fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.

Also, the National Immunization Survey shows that Iowa 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. Approximately 11% of Iowa youth (9th–12th grades) are considered obese and another 13% are considered overweight, according to 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data.

• Only half of Iowa youth are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Only 19% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.
• One quarter watch three or more hours of television a day.
• Almost one third drink at least one non-diet soda each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Iowa, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $783 million in 2003 dollars. 

What is Iowa Doing about Obesity?

The state has combined state and federal funding to develop a community wellness grant opportunity. Many communities have been funded so far: 28 in 2006, and 24 new communities in 2008–2009. Community projects include activities such as: creating wellness centers to provide access to information, holding lifestyle challenges for community residents to lose weight, building community trails, or getting local grocers to label healthy food choices.

Iowans Fit for Life piloted an intervention project in 12 rural Iowa elementary schools. This project is testing and evaluating various combinations of interventions such as the Free Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA) and an Iowa Department of Public Health school and community program (Pick a Better Snack and ACT). The Pick a Better Snack program has been implemented in multiple states and is now directly connected to USDA's Free Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Iowa passed the Healthy Kids Act, which is set to be implemented in 2010. This legislation requires that every student get 30 minutes of physical activity each day, schools should comply with nutrition content standards for foods sold/provided on school grounds, and Area Education Agencies should employ or contract with a licensed dietician.

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

For more information:
Dennis Haney
Program Coordinator, Iowa Department of Public Health
Telephone: 515-281-7501
Fax: 515-281-4913
E-mail: dhaney@idph.state.ia.us
Web site: www.idph.state.ia.us/iowansfitforlife

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