Since 2010, the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have produced the County Health Rankings.

Looking at 35 values that include the obesity rate, physical activity, tobacco use, high school graduation rates, teen births, unemployment, access to fresh food, and others, these rankings help provide a snapshot of a community’s health.

From 2010-2015, Lawrence County’s health outcome rank, which shows the current health of the county, shifted between 87th and 88th out of 88 counties, depending on the year. This year, however, we moved up to 82nd. We are improving, but we have a long way to go. We can improve our health and the health of our community by changing some health behaviors.

According to the County Health Rankings, the obesity rate for Lawrence County last year was 36 percent, confirmed through a Lawrence County Community Health Assessment that was completed in 2015. This year, though, our obesity rate is 39 percent and rising.

Obesity and overweight refer to having a body weight greater than what is healthy for a given height and are the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States, close behind tobacco use. Obesity-related health problems include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, certain cancers, sleep apnea, gallstones, menstrual and infertility problems in women, and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

While there are some genetic, hormonal, or medical reasons for an increase in body weight, overweight/obesity is usually a result of taking in more calories than are burned through exercise and/or normal daily activities.

Calories can add up quickly with unhealthy diets, fast foods, and soda. Imagine a balance scale. If the amount of calories eaten and the amount of energy (calories) burned during exercise are the same, current weight is maintained. If calories burned are greater than the number of calories taken in, weight loss results.

If the number of calories eaten are more than the energy burned, the extra calories are stored as fat, and weight is gained.

There are many things we can do to prevent weight gain or lose weight. They include:

• Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. A good rule of thumb is 3 servings of each per day

• Make half your grains 100 percent whole grain

• Measure foods to ensure the correct serving size

• Switch to low-fat or skim milk

• Choose lean cuts of meat and trim extra fat. Remove skin from chicken or turkey

• Read nutrition labels and pay attention to fats, sugars, and sodium in items you purchase

• Drink water. 64 ounces is a good number to strive for each day.

• Limit soda. A 12 ounce can of soda has 10-12 teaspoons of sugar.

Exercise is also very important. According to the CDC, regular exercise can help control weight, reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, reduce the risk of some cancers, strengthen bones and muscles, improve mental health and mood, and increase the chances of living longer. For older adults, exercise also increases the ability to do daily activities and helps prevent falls.

The amount recommended is 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week (or a total of 150 minutes). According to the County Health Rankings, access to physical activity in Lawrence County was at 96 percent; however, the adult rate of physical inactivity was 37 percent and rising.

Walking is always free. The recommended number of steps is 10,000 per day. There are free apps for smart phones (like Map My Walk) that use maps to help plan routes to track distance. High school tracks are one of the most under-utilized places to walk. Most tracks are made from material that lessens the impact on knees and other joints and are available year-round except for some periods of time during track season.

To help decrease the obesity problem in our county, Lawrence County Health Department hosts a Healthy Weight Program, made possible through a Mission Fund Grant from Bon Secours and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. This is a free program, open to the community. Classes meet weekly and consist of nutrition education, some form of exercise, and food demonstrations. For more information about this program, or to register, please call 740-532-3962.

 

Debbie Fisher is a registered nurse and the health educator of the Lawrence County Health Department. She can be reached at 740-532-3962.