Agenda - 12-03-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OBESITY AND NUTRITIU'N 30 :according to a recent community diagnosis completed by graduate students in the Public Health Nutrition program, obesity is a significant problem in Orange County and one which has gained little attention. Extrapolating from data from the - National center for Health Statistics, estimated that 19,687 they individuals in the county could be defined as obese and 7,404 would be defined as severely obese. (Nutrition Community Diagnosis, 1988). It is difficult to determine how they carne to the conclusion that the problem was not being adequately addressed; therefore, further investigation would be necessary to evaluate this conclusion. However, in conducting their semiannual community diagnosis in 1988, the Orange County Health Department did identify adolescent obesity in particular, as a potential site for future interventions, giving some Potential credence to the conclusion. (Q.C.H.D. Community Diagnosis, 1988) These students also estimated that a total of approximately 2403 adults in orange County suffer from iron deficiency anemia. In addition, an estimated 14,921 individuals would be expected to have elevated serum cholesterol levels. In 1987, the leading causes of death and morbidity in Orange County were heart disease (1635), cancer (122.9) and cerebrovascular accidents, 32.5. Underlying risk factors for cardiovascular disease. include; hypertension, hypercholesteremia, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. SEDENTARX LIFESTYLE Physical inactivity is associated with an increased risk of developing obesity and its disease correlates, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus -. 41,366 Orange Countyhresidentsoare estimated to have a sedentary lifestyle. Appropriate physical activity is a valuable tool in prevention and control of obesity, hypertension—and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 27