November 15, 2003
The Skinny About Obesity in Alaska
reprinted from the Mukluk Telegraph, ANTHC
- In Alaska, combined obesity and overweight percentages increased from 48 percent in 1991 to 61 percent percent in 1999
- Alaska now ranks fifth in the nation for obesity
- 63 percent of Alaska adults are overweight or obese
- In Alaska, over the past ten years, overweight/obesity in women has increased by 32 percent and in men by 22 percent
- 20 percent of Alaska adults report getting no physical activity
- 76 percent of Alaska adults report eating less that 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per dayd
- In 2000, 37 percent of Alaska adults were trying to lose weight. 13 percent of these people received advice from a doctor or other health professional about their weight
- 7 percent of Alaska students in grades 9 - 12 are overweight
- In 1999 in high school students, less than 25 percent of boys and girls participated in daily school physical education activities
- In 1999 in high school students, less than 23 percent of boys and girls reported eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
- If you drink one less regular coke every day for a year without making any other lifestyle changes, you will lose 18 pounds. Add to that 30 minutes of brisk walking every day for a year and you will lose an additional 9 pounds!
Obesity and overweight are strongly linked to higher incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, several types of cancer, breathing problems, and complications in pregnancy.
Premature death and disability, increased health care costs, and lost productivity are all associated with overweight and obesity.
Even moderate weight excess (10 to 20 pounds for a person of average height) increases the risk of death
From the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services publication "The Burden of Obesity in Alaska," the "Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Obesity, 2001," and publications of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.