Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program

Overview

Background

In July 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded $443,005 per year to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Public Health, to plan a comprehensive nutrition and physical activity program for Wisconsin. In July 2008, a second round of funding was granted to implement programs through 2013.  This 5-year grant was increased to $833,805 per year.  The grant funding has focused on the following objectives:

• Develop a Statewide Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program infrastructure at the State level.

• Collaborate and coordinate with State and local government and private partners, including members of the population, throughout the planning process for the development of the Wisconsin Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Plan.

• Develop and implement a State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Plan to prevent and control obesity and other chronic diseases.

• Identify, assess and utilize Wisconsin data sources and research to define and monitor the burden of obesity and to assure the development of an evidence-based State Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Plan.

• Implement and evaluate interventions to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases.

• Evaluate progress and impact of the State plan and intervention projects

 Other funding and initiatives have occurred since the initial grant and the expanded scope of the program is reflected in the table below.

Program Activities and Resources - "What Are We Doing?"

Nutrition and Physical Activity Recommendations 

Achieving a healthy weight and being fit includes choosing healthy foods and being physically active on a regular basis. The equation is simple…calories in (food intake) = calories out (energy expended) to maintain weight. To lose weight, calories expended must be greater than calories eaten. It is really a balance! That is why it is important not to tip the scale where you eat more calories than you burn. When we tip the scale, we may be at-risk for gaining weight. This means that we may eat too many calories or more than our body needs, or it may mean that we are not burning calories because we are not being physically active.

Eating healthy is not a form of dieting; it is a change in your lifestyle. Use the U. S. Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid can help guide your healthy food choices.

Key Information

• 64% of Wisconsin adults are overweight or obese and the number is rising. (CDC BRFSS, 2011)

• 25% of Wisconsin high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight and the number is rising. (CDC YRBS, 2011)

• The obesity rate among Wisconsin adults has more than doubled from 1990 to 2002. (CDC BRFSS, 1990, 2011)

• Adult activity levels have remained virtually unchanged over time, while children’s levels have declined. Only about ½ of WI adults meet minimum activity levels (CDC BRFSS, CDC YBRS).

Poor diet and physical inactivity are the second leading underlying cause of death behind only tobacco use. Furthermore, obesity and inactivity are projected to surpass tobacco as the leading cause of death in the next couple of years. Obesity and an inactive lifestyle are connected to an increased risk for the following diseases:

• Cardiovascular disease and stroke

• Stroke 

• Diabetes 

• Osteoarthritis

• Some types of cancer (such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon)

• and a number of other diseases

The Nutrition and Physical Activity Program will incorporate the parameters that have been established for the National Program. These include:

• Employ an integrated approach to obesity prevention and control using both nutrition and physical activity strategies.

• Adopt a social ecological model that addresses the obesity epidemic beyond individual responsibility and that recognizes the importance of environmental and policy issues that affect and sustain behavior.

• Apply the theories and techniques of social marketing to identify target populations and select interventions that will encourage high participation rates initially and address how to maintain participation long-term.

• Use evidence-based and promising strategies to achieve better health.

• Conduct strong evaluation to assess the effectiveness of interventions.

• Build on federal funding to mobilize additional resources through strong partnerships with a wide range of organizations and agencies.

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