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March 18, 2004 Obesity in North Dakota Increases Costs and Deaths In 2002, approximately 61.6 percent of the adult population in North Dakota was obese (23.4 percent) or overweight (38.2 percent), according to Jane Edwards, North Dakota State University Extension Service nutrition and health specialist. “Approximately 80 percent of adults did not get the recommended five or more servings of fruits, and no leisure time physical activity was reported by one in five (21.7 percent) North Dakota adults.” Nationwide, annual medical costs related to obesity in 2003 dollars were calculated at $75 billion dollars. Medicare and Medicaid financed about one-half of those expenditures. “In North Dakota, annual obesity related medical costs were estimated at $209 million per year,” Edwards says. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that poor diet and physical inactivity caused 400,000 deaths in 2000. That represents a 33 percent increase from 1990. The Center says obesity will surpass tobacco-related deaths, which are the number one cause of death, if current trends continue. Reducing food intake or increasing physical activity by 100 calories a day can improve the energy balance. One study estimates the average weight gain in young adults is approximately 1.8 to 2 pounds per year. That’s equivalent to an energy imbalance of approximately 100 calories per day. Walking one mile burns about 100 calories. “Make healthy eating a priority,” Edwards says. “Eating healthy is not going to happen unless you spend time planning for it. Buy more fruits and vegetables, whole grain items and reduce or eliminate buying processed junk food including sweetened beverages. One can of pop contributes about 150 calories and 10 teaspoons of sugar. It would require walking about a mile and a half to expend that many calories.” Moderating portion sizes may also improve the energy balance. Research has demonstrated that people eat more food if served larger portions. Serving sizes have increased over the past two decades at home, at grocery stores (packaged food) and at restaurants, while the level of physical activity has been decreasing. “Try to reduce the time spent watching television,” Edwards advises. “Studies document that the percent of body fat increases as time watching television increases. Some of that time may be better spent walking. Take the stairs, not the elevator. Walk during lunch breaks and walk from the far-end of the parking lot. That way you won’t have trouble finding a parking spot.” Edwards is encouraging communities to locate grant money to build community walking trails or fitness facilities. “Another avenue is to get your local school to allow people to walk in the halls during specified time periods.” Healthy eating tips and other information is available on the Web through NDSU at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/food.htm ### Source: Jane
Edwards, (701) 231-7478, jedwards@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
