Obesity
Obesity is often the result of poor nutrition and misinformation that brings with it a host of debilitating health problems and a hefty economic price tag. The percent of obese adults in the Hampton Roads region is the second lowest among the regions in Virginia.
Why is This Important?
A healthy community is one in which individuals adopt healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods and being physically active, both of which can prevent or control the devastating effects of obesity. Not only does obesity strain private and government health care programs, but it also results in lost workdays, lower productivity, and negative health outcomes, including diabetes and depression. The Hampton Roads region is committed to programs that help its citizens live long, productive, healthy lives and reduce the health and economic consequences of obesity.
How is Hampton Roads Doing?
Three-year
moving averages were used to compare
obesity rates among Virginia’s regions.
In
2009 Hampton Roads had
the second lowest obesity
rate in the state at
25.1 percent. The Northern
region had the lowest
rate of obesity (20.3%),
while the Southwest region
had the highest (33.9%).
What Influences Obesity?
Body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture and socioeconomic status. Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance that involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Behavior, including poor nutrition, environment, exercise choices, and misinformation play a large role in causing people to be overweight and obese.
Data Definitions and Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [various years].
Three-Year Moving Average: This average is calculated for a 3-year period on a rolling basis. For example, the 3-year moving average value for 2003 would be based on values for years 2001-2003, the value for 2004 would be based on years 2002-2004, and so forth. A moving average is calculated in order to smooth short-term fluctuations and help identify long-term trends.
See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.
