Much of the chronic disease burden is preventable through lifestyle modification. Physical inactivity and unhealthy eating can lead to obesity, which contributes to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Obesity is fast approaching smoking as the Number 1 cause of preventable deaths in the United States according to the CDC. Proper nutrition and adequate levels of physical activity are key in preventing obesity. Achieving and maintaining an appropriate weight requires healthy eating patterns and adequate physical activity. Combined treatment approaches (diet, PA, and behavior modification) on different levels including policy and environment will result in better outcomes.
- The rates of overweight and obesity in South Carolina are among the highest in the nation.
- Obesity-attributable medical expenditures in South Carolina topped $1 billion dollars in 2003.
- 55% of South Carolinians get insufficient amounts of exercise or are totally inactive.
- Less than a fourth of all South Carolinians consume the recommended number of fruits and vegetables per day.
Choosing a healthy lifestyle in not just about feeling well, yet it is also about preventing debilitating and life-threatening chronic disease.
BRFSS 2002 data indicated that less than 25% of South Carolinians consumed the recommended 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily for better health.
Almost 55% (54.8%) of SC adults are either inactive or do not meet the minimum amount of physical activity recommended for better health.
This division within the Bureau of Community Health and Chronic Disease Prevention parallels DHEC’s fundamental mission of promoting and protecting the health of the public and the environment and vision of “healthy people living in healthy communities.”
With obesity’s enormous implications on the health of the citizens of South Carolina, we must work together to foster environmental and policy changes in support of a healthy lifestyle
As shown by the figure below, the obesity rate in South Carolina has nearly doubled from 1990 to 2002. (BRFSS)
Impact of obesity and unhealthy choices
- Obesity is fast approaching smoking as the No. 1 cause of preventable deaths in the United States according to the CDC.
- The rates of overweight and obesity in South Carolina are among the highest in the nation.
- 1 in 4 adults in South Carolina are obese and over 3 of 5 adults are either overweight or obese.
- Prevalence of obesity related chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is disproportionately high in South Carolina. In fact, South Carolina has the second highest rate of stroke deaths in the nation.
- Obesity-attributable medical expenditures in South Carolina topped $1 billion dollars in 2003.
DOPC funding from congressional appropriations funnels through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity. SC DHEC was awarded funding beginning July of 2003 as a capacity-building program. The intent of capacity-building funding is to strengthen the capacity to assess and begin to reduce the burden of obesity and associated risk factors. The current funding cycle will end 2008. Erika Kirby, MBA, RD, as Director of the Program, will submit an application to receive funding to support select initiatives, based upon successful completion of the charges during the ‘capacity-building’ stage.
The development and implementation of a comprehensive state plan for obesity prevention and control will be developed through a statewide partnership, the South Carolina Coalition for Obesity Prevention Efforts SCCOPE, consisting of representatives from state government agencies, businesses, academia, faith-based organizations, health care organizations, and community-based groups.
For additional information contact:
Erika Kirby 803.545.4476