New Hampshire

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). New Hampshire has received funding for this program since 2008.

The Burden of Obesity in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's estimated 2007 total population is over 1.3 million, with roughly 1 million adults. Of those adults, approximately 37% are considered overweight and another 25% 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.

• Almost 20% of New Hampshire adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only 29% eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

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

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

• Only 47% of the youth in these grade levels are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Only 22% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day
• Approximately one quarter drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
• One quarter watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In New Hampshire, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $302 million in 2003 dollars. 

What is New Hampshire Doing about Obesity?

One unique partner of the state program is the New Hampshire HEAL Coalition. The coalition is a collaboration between New Hampshire foundations and state agencies and was responsible for creating the New Hampshire state plan: HEAL Action Plan for New Hampshire 2008. The state program is coordinating efforts with the HEAL coalition to implement aspects of the plan. They recently announced $600,000 in grant funding to four New Hampshire community partnerships, which will impact 47 cities and towns in the state. These community grants will provide funds for communities to make policy and environmental changes to prevent obesity. The coalition and state program plan to provide technical assistance to the grant recipients. 

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

For more information:
Regina Flynn
Program Manager, Obesity Prevention Program
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Public Health Services
Phone: 603-271-4623
Fax: 603-271-4779
E-mail: rflynn@dhhs.state.nh.us
Website: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/obesity.htm

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