Wisconsin

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). Wisconsin has received funding for this program since 2003.

The Burden of Obesity in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's estimated 2007 total population is over 5.5 million, with over 4 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.

• Nineteen percent of Wisconsin adults report no leisure time physical activity in the past month.
• Only 24% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.

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

• Only 38% of youth in these grade levels are meeting current physical activity recommendation levels.
• Only 18% eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day.
• 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 Wisconsin, the medical costs associated with adult obesity were $1.5 billion in 2003 dollars. 

What is Wisconsin Doing about Obesity?

Wisconsin's Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program developed a statewide plan for obesity in 2005. Some of the program's initiatives include the following:

• The Healthier Wisconsin Worksite Initiative addresses risk factors across many chronic disease programs. Over 30 coalition-worksite partnerships were formed to implement worksite wellness programs and make policy and environmental changes in worksites. Since the program's launch in September 2008, 38 worksites have won Governor's Worksite Wellness Awards.  
• The Got Dirt? Garden Initiative helps to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by supporting gardens in schools, daycares, and communities across the state. Early successes led to a 3-year, $475,000 implementation grant award to the lead partner from the University of Wisconsin Partnership Fund.
• The Footprints to Health–Franklin Neighborhood Initiative is a community-based intervention implemented from April 2006 to April 2008. The intervention showed favorable changes in physical activity indicators and additional partnerships were formed that will increase opportunities for future policy and environmental changes within the community. 
• From January 2007 to June 2008, the Wisconsin Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program identified and tracked over 300 policy changes and over 400 environmental changes to improve nutrition and physical activity in the state.
• In 2007, the state enacted SB89, Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin, which requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protections to increase awareness and consumption of locally produced foods and related products.  

Wisconsin has selected 16 local projects to help implement the Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity State Plan. Projects are funded to either: (1) develop coalitions, (2) implement single-setting or single focus area interventions, or (3) implement comprehensive, multi-level programs.

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

For more information:
Mary Pesik
Program Coordinator; Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program
Wisconsin Department of Health
Telephone: 608-267-3694
Fax: 608-266-3125
E-mail: Mary.pesik@wisconsin.gov
Web site: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/physicalactivity/index.htm

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