Utah

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).  Utah has received funding for this program since 2008.

The Burden of Obesity in Utah

Utah's estimated 2007 total population is over 2.6 million, with roughly 1.8 million adults. Of those adults, approximately 36% are considered overweight and another 22% 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 Utah adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only 23% eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day.

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

• Only 48% of the youth in these grade levels are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Only 18% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.
• Almost 17% drink at least one non-diet soda each day.
• Eighteen percent watch three or more hours of television each day.

Obesity also affects the state's economy. In Utah, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $393 million in 2003 dollars. 

What is Utah Doing about Obesity?

In the first year of CDC funding for obesity prevention activities, the state has been developing program infrastructure within the Utah Department of Public Health. The Utah Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program is developing statewide partnerships; enhancing local capacity to deliver physical activity, nutrition, and obesity prevention programs; developing a state plan; and developing surveillance and evaluation capacity.

Other activities include the following:

• Promoting Fruits and Veggies—More Matters™ through nutrition education materials and classroom resources for grocery store tours (approximately 250 3rd grade classrooms are expected to participate in the 2008–2009 school year).
• Implementing an “Unplug ‘n Play” campaign to correspond with TV Turnoff week in April 2009. Part of this campaign includes radio advertisements which target parents and promote the benefits of reduced screen time.
• Providing information to policy makers regarding the benefits of point-of-purchase calorie labeling on restaurant menu boards.
• Developing new criteria for the state's “A Healthier You Worksite Awards” that include breastfeeding support policies. According to the National Immunization Survey, Utah currently meets all five of the Healthy People 2010 goals for breastfeeding based on children born in 2005.

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

For more information:
Lynda Blades, MPH, CHES
Program Manager, Physical Activity, Nutrition & Obesity (PANO) Program
Utah Department of Health
Telephone: 801-538-6229
Fax: 801-538-9495
E-mail: lblades@utah.gov
Web site: www.health.utah.gov/obesity

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