Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008

Obesity rate climbs in county, but still lower than national, state averages

The prevalence of obesity continues to grow in all populations and geographic areas in Johnson County, according to a new report compiled by the Johnson County Health Department.

Preliminary information from the report indicates that Johnson County’s statistics for obese and overweight residents remain below state and national averages.

“The Johnson County Health Department is working to address this community health concern,” said Leon Vinci, director of public health for Johnson County, in a press release. “The reversal of this trend is one of our top priorities.”

The department offers a number of classes that address physical fitness and nutrition, said Barbara Mitchell, health department spokeswoman. Specific classes like “Dining With Diabetes” or “Healthy Employee” talk about fitness and diet. The department also provides speakers based on requests.

Since 2001, more than half the county’s population has been determined as obese or overweight. The department used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national, ongoing telephone health survey system. The system has tracked health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States since 1984.

One in three adults in the county was considered overweight and one in four adults was considered obese, according to the “Johnson County Overweight and Obesity Report” of 2007. In 2001, 53 percent of Johnson County adults were overweight or obese. By 2007, that number had increased to 58.3 percent.

The full 2008 report will be released in late September.

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