Get The Facts

We live in a world full of unhealthy options. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, for the first time in our country's history, today's children are likely to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. The reason for a shorter life expectancy is attributed to the obesity epidemic.

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Poor nutrition and lack of physical activity start in childhood but can be seen across the life span. In a study done by the Wood County Health Department in 2005, 34 percent of third-graders were overweight or obese. Among Wood County adult residents, 76 percent consume less than the recommended five fruits and vegetables per day with 50 percent of them being physically inactive.

 

Obesity Prevention Saves Lives and Money

  • Unhealthy eating is a major cause of obesity, and obese children are much more likely to become obese adults. It starts early: after age six, obese children have a greater than 50% chance of becoming obese adults.
  • 23% of WI high school students are already overweight or obese. 1
  • Obesity is a leading cause of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.
  • Obesity’s estimated health care cost for WI adults is $1.5 billion. 2
  • If the obesity rate in WI continues to climb at its current rate, costs will quadruple in ten years. 3 
  • 63% of Wisconsin adults are overweight or obese. 4 

 

WI Obesity Facts PDF

F as in Fat: 2010, How Obesity Threatens America's Future PDF

 

References Cited:

  1. Data A, Sturm R, Magnabosco J. Childhood overweight and academic performance: national study of kindergartners and first-graders. Obesity Research 2004. 12:58-68.
    2.
  2. California Project Lean.  Healthy Food Policy Resource Guide.  http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/Assets/1019/files/Nutrition%20%20Physical%20Activity%20and%20Academic%20Achievement_Healthy%20Food%20Policy%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
    3.
  3. American Dietetic Association.  Summary of Competitive Foods Task Force Report.    http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/advocacy_2824_ENU_HTML.htm
    4.
  4. Liebhart, JL, Wegner, MV, & Pesik, MJ. (2008). Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Wisconsin (No. P-00008 (12/08)). Madison, WI. Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health and Wisconsin Partnership for Activity and Nutrition.

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