HEALTH PRIORITY
OBESITY
Approximately 39.8% of the U.S. population, or 93.3 million adults, are affected by obesity according to the 2015-2016 National Center for Health Statistics data brief.
61.9% of Somerset County residents are overweight or obese
The percent of Somerset County residents reporting no leisure time physical activity between 2015-2016 trended upward from 15.8% in 2014 to 23.6% in 2016.
* date of latest available data
OVERVIEW
Obesity and overweight are abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. A crude population measure of obesity is body mass index (BMI), a person’s weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of his or her height (in meters). A person with a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese; a person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is overweight. Being overweight or obese can have a serious impact on health. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease (mainly heart disease and stroke), Type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritis, and some cancers (endometrial, breast and colon). These conditions can cause premature death and disability as well as long- term consequences for individuals and families. In addition, the costs of care are high. Prevention and wellness programs are important factors in addressing the negative health effects of excess weight.
HOW WE’RE GETTING THERE
GOAL
Prevent and reduce obesity through strategies that promote health.
OBJECTIVES
1. Increase the number of adults who report any leisure time physical activity 10% from 76% to 84% by December 31, 2021.
2. Reduce adult overweight and obesity prevalence 5% from 61.9% to 58% by December 31, 2021.
- Advance implementation of 3 multi- use trails in Somerset County plans by December 31, 2021 (especially those that close connectivity gaps, and who have advocacy partners).
- Increase awareness of Somerset County’s multi-use trails by including them in Somerset County Tourism’s “10 Things to Do” list by June 30, 2019.
- Distribute list at 4 community events per year through December 31, 2021.
- Contact 4 Municipalities per year to discuss built environment policies.
- SRTS
- Pathways
- Land use and infrastructure policies and regulations to promote active lifestyles
- Increase the number of Employee Wellness programs in Somerset County business community.
- Have 3 additional municipalities adopt Complete Streets Policies by December 31, 2021.
- Have 3 additional schools launch or revitalize school gardens by June 30, 2021.
- Create Grand Rounds Program to encourage exercise “prescriptions”
- Increase # of physician referrals to exercise programs such as Somerset County YMCA’s ”B. Fit” / Y-First Physician Referral Program or equivalent programs by 50% by 12/31/2021
- Have elementary schools implement 30 daily minutes of Active Recess by December 31, 2021.
- Gym minimum standards policy middle/ HS adopted by all school districts.
- Use curriculum to bring physical activity to 5 additional day cares/school programs by June 30, 2021.
- Bring evidence based physical activity curriculum to 5 additional schools/ daycares by June 30, 2021.
- Increase # of schools participating in “Walk & Bike to School Month” by 10% every October until 2021.
