According to the latest Behavioral Risk Factor Study (BRFS) data from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, more than 53 percent of the county’s residents were considered overweight or obese in 2005.
Some of the proposed action steps from the health department’s plan to correct the problem include:
Develop gardening programs that address nutrition and physical activity at childcare facilities.
Work to establish land use policies that promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Provide free wellness checks/physicals to all children before they enter Kindergarten, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 7th grade and 9th grade.
Provide educational materials and point-of-decision prompts to guide consumer food choice.
Reduce or eliminate television advertising or no- or low-nutrient foods to children during peak times.
“The recommendations made in the plan will bring nutrition education and access to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and safe places for physical activity to low-income families in Santa Clara County who are more at risk of being obese or overweight,” said Joe Prickitt, director of the Bay Area Regional Nutrition Network. “Prevention is the key to encourage people to lead healthy lifestyles, which will reduce their risk of chronic diseases that are associated with being overweight or obese.”
The BRFS study data shows the prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher among males, (62.4 percent) than among females (44.7 percent). Data also indicated the prevalence of being overweight or obese was higher among Hispanics and African Americans compared to their White/Asian/other counterparts.
“At first glance, Santa Clara County health statistics look favorable in comparison to other counties in our state,” said Dr. Guadalupe S. Olivas, director of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. “However, when you dig deeper into the data, the health disparities are glaring. Latinos and African Americans are disproportionately impacted in various health areas, like obesity and diabetes.”
For more information on the Healthy Silicon Valley or how to get involved, please visit www.healthysiliconvalley.org.
