|
As the state Health Department cobbles together a new obesity-fighting program based on the first of five annual $455,000 grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's not yet clear what role the Utah County Health Department will have in its execution.
The county currently receives zero funding for adult-focused obesity programs, said Patty Cross, coordinator over the county's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program. There are several programs for kids, including Gold Medal Schools and grocery store tours. While the specifics of the new state Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Program are yet to be determined, there's a chance it could offer the county some weapons to target a different group.
"That's one reason why we're so excited," said Lance Madigan, department spokesman.
Cross said nobody from the state has yet contacted her about county participation in the program, but if history is any indicator, that will happen soon.
"We anticipate that we'll be a part of it," she said.
Utah was one of 23 states to win the CDC grants this year, said Lynda Blades, physical activity coordinator for the state Health Department. The state applied five years ago but did not win the grant.
"It's significant for us, because prior to this, we haven't had any specially dedicated funding from any federal or state sources for obesity prevention," she said.
The state has traditionally fallen low in obesity rate rankings, currently holding down No. 47. But, Blades said, that's no cause for complacency. Utah is just behind the curve, she said.
"Since 1989, it's increased by about 119 percent," she said. "Looking at the trends, that's indicative of where we're headed if we don't do something."
Blades said she envisions some county participation in the program, but that's a ways off -- the first year has been set aside mostly for planning. None of the specifics have been decided, but chances are it will involve some education and marketing efforts, she said. The goals of the program will be adapted from "The Utah Blueprint to Promote Healthy Weight for Children, Youth and Adults," published in 2006.
"This year we'll be developing a plan and then enhancing capacity at the state level, which is essentially beefing up our staff," she said.
Part of the conditions for winning the grant was a commitment to six key principles the CDC has identified for combating obesity: cutting down on sugared drinks, junk food and TV watching; and increasing physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake and breast-feeding.
Blades said nobody is quite sure why that last item plays a role in driving down obesity, but it does.
"There is research that shows that if babies are breast-fed, they are less likely to become obese as adults," she said.
• Ace Stryker can be reached at 344-2556 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
