Texas

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). Texas has received funding for this program since 2000.

The Burden of Obesity in Texas

Texas' estimated 2007 total population is almost 24 million, with over 17 million adults. Of those adults, 37% 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.

• Almost three-in-ten adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only one quarter of Texas adults eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

Also, the National Immunization Survey shows that Texas 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. Sixteen percent of Texas youth (9th–12th grades) are overweight, and another 16% are obese, according to 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data.

• Only 45% 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.
• Thirty-eight percent drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
• Almost 40% watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Texas, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $5.3 billion in 2003 dollars. 

What is Texas Doing about Obesity?

The Texas Department of State Health Services' (DSHS) Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention Program (NPAOP) incorporates all its activities under a new initiative/theme known as “Texas! Bringing Healthy Back.” In regards to fruits and vegetables, one unique Bringing Healthy Back intervention coordinated by the department is the Farm to Work program which delivers farm fresh produce to employees where they work. The program addresses key barriers many employees face when trying to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets like time, access, and freshness. Farm to Work currently serves 15 worksites including DSHS (Austin campuses), Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the City of Austin. Over 1700 employees have participated and Texas farmers have made over $250,000 since the program started.

As another part of the department's Texas Communities! Bringing Healthy Back initiative, NPAOP funds four community projects and two hospital obesity prevention projects to create environments supportive of healthy choices. One project is the El Paso Baby Café which is a community drop-in center for moms seeking breastfeeding support. The project provides one-on-one interaction with lactation professionals and is expected to reach 5,000 new mothers each year. Other funded projects include farmers' markets in Brownsville, Fort Worth, and Pantego; a 5-acre community garden and walking trail in San Antonio; and hospital/worksite breastfeeding policy promotion in Austin and Dallas.

Through all these activities, Texas DSHS and CDC are working to prevent obesity by making healthy foods and an active lifestyle the easy choice in Texas communities.

For more information:
Maribel Garcia Valls, MPH
NPAOP Team Lead; Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention Program
Texas Department of State Health Services
Telephone: 512-776-3434
Fax: 512-458-7618
E-mail: Maribel.Valls@dshs.state.tx.us
Web site: www.dshs.state.tx.us/obesity

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