Michigan

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). Michigan has received funding for this program since 2001(excluding 2003).

The Burden of Obesity in Michigan

Michigan's estimated 2007 total population is 10 million, with approximately 7.6 million adults. Of those adults, 36% 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.

• One-in-five Michigan adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only 21% of adults report eating fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

Also, the National Immunization Survey shows that Michigan 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. Over 16% of Michigan youth (9th–12th grades) are overweight, and another are 12% 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.
• Only 17% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day
• Almost 30% drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
• Approximately one third watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Michigan, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $2.9 billion in 2003 dollars.

What is Michigan Doing about Obesity?

Since its inception, Michigan's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program (NPAO) has worked in many settings across the state where people live, work and play. NPAO has specifically worked with African American women, because this group has the highest rates of obesity in the state. Sisters Together Detroit, a faith-based health promotion program for black women in Detroit is a culturally appropriate, community-based program. The program promotes weight loss or maintenance through a variety of healthy choices. It was initially piloted in three Detroit churches and was then expanded to 14 churches (2007–2008). NPAO is also partnering with the Michigan Public Health Institute and the Institute for Black Family Development. This partnership works with 24 African American churches to implement physical activity and healthy eating strategies within the church facility.

Michigan provides Building Healthy Communities grants to 20 local health departments. This project combines federal and state dollars to assess community environments and implement changes to improve access to healthy foods and places for physical activity while changing individual behaviors and educating residents. NPAO staff provides training and technical assistance to the program. Some local policy and environmental changes include the following:

• Improvements to community gardens.
• Walking trail construction and/or enhancements; park enhancements and promotion.
• School changes (mobile salad bars, adding healthy options to lunch choices, and replacing vending machine items with healthier options).
• Increasing the fruit, vegetable, and low-fat dairy options at area gas stations and convenience stores.

In 2007, Governor Granholm received a one-year grant award from the National Governor's Association through the Healthy Kids, Healthy America program. This program was designed to provide the nation's governors with the opportunity and means to make progress in addressing childhood obesity. More than 100 organizations collaborated to choose priority policy changes to reduce childhood obesity in the state. The Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan five-year strategic plan was the result. NPAO is supporting the implementation of the policy priorities from the plan, especially those slated as priorities for the first year, which are

• Body mass index (BMI) surveillance.
• Medicaid coverage of childhood obesity.
• Coordinated School Health Programs.
• Health and physical education.
• Healthy food access in underserved areas.
• Complete Streets (streets designed for all users, including bicyclists and pedestrians).
• Safe Routes to School.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan has grown into an impressive coalition and is currently recognized as the key advocate for policy changes around childhood obesity prevention in Michigan.

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

For more information:
Gwendoline Imes
Program Coordinator, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Control
Michigan Department of Community Health
Telephone: 517-335-9492
Fax: 517-335-8593
E-mail: imesg@michigan.gov
Web site: www.michigan.gov/preventobesity

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