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IOM Workshop Reports On The Epidemiology And
Current State of Obesity Solutions In The US

Calorie Reduction Goals Are Achievable With Existing Strategies, Say Experts
 

A new report from an IOM Workshop on obesity earlier this year gives the latest snapshot on the occurrence of obesity in the US population. Obesity in both adult men and women is now very high at approximately 35%. Examining the result by ethnic group shows no ethnic disparity for men but striking disparities for women. About 30 percent of white women are obese, 40% of Hispanic women, and more than 50% of African American women.

The Good News

The good news is that obesity among women and girls has plateaued, albeit at a high level, and obesity rates have decreased significantly among low-income children aged 2-5. However, there are several trends that continue to be of serious concern.

The Bad News

Severe obesity (A BMI greater than 120% of the 95th percentile) in children, adolescents, and adults continues to increase.

Approximately 6-7% of girls overall are severely obese and rates are especially high in African American and Hispanic girls (White girls just under 4%, Hispanic girls approximately 5%, and African American girls approximately 9%).

Boys show similar trends and disparities although both Hispanic and African American boys have a high prevalence of approximately 7%.

Over the 12 years from 1999-2000 to 2009-2010, severe obesity increased from 6.2% to 8.1% among women and from 3.1% among men to 4.4%. African American women have a severe obesity rate which is approximately 18% or almost 1 in 5. The financial costs of obesity are high. Obesity accounted for $147 billion in health care costs in 2008 or 9 percent of the national health care budget which rose from 6.5% in 2008.

Calorie Impact Goals

Workshop presenters discussed a model estimating the size of the calorie deficits needed at the population level to achieve national goals for reducing obesity prevalence. To achieve a 10% prevalence rate in adults through prevention by 2020 would require a reduction of approximately 220 calories per day. For children and adolescents, the needed deficits are much smaller and estimated at between 33 calories for the youngest to 177 calories for the oldest children up to age 19. William Dietz, former CDC expert on obesity who presented the overview at the workshop, said these calorie reduction goals are achievable with the strategies being implemented today.

Winning Strategies

What are some of these winning strategies? Among the policy interventions which can have the desired caloric impact are eliminating sugar-sweetened drinks, switching from whole to low fat milk in early care and education centers, decreasing fast food consumption, mandatory physical education, classroom activity breaks, and walking or biking to school where possible.

Massachusetts In Motion

A presentation about initiatives in Massachusetts showed that it is possible to reduce prevalence of obesity statewide among residents. Mass in Motion is a multi-faceted state initiative focused on better eating and increased physical activity. Included are activities around farmers’ markets, community gardens, implementation of school nutrition standards, the building and repairing of sidewalks, the provision of lighting and safe activities in communities, joint use agreements between communities and universities to use facilities, and the creation of new walking and biking trails. According to the workshop summary, BMI reporting has revealed significant reductions in obesity and overweight in the Mass in Motion communities, especially in grades 1 and 4.

To read the report, visit

http://tinyurl.com/o79logd   ■

 


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