Obesity
Obesity is often the result of poor nutrition and misinformation that brings with it a host of debilitating health problems and a hefty economic price tag. The percent of obese adults in the Hampton Roads region is the third lowest among the regions in Virginia.
Why is This Important?
A healthy community is one in which individuals adopt healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods and being physically active, both of which can prevent or control the devastating effects of obesity. Not only does obesity strain private and government health care programs, but it also results in lost workdays, lower productivity, and negative health outcomes, including diabetes and depression. The Hampton Roads region is committed to programs that help its citizens live long, productive, healthy lives and reduce the health and economic consequences of obesity.
How is Hampton Roads Doing?
Survey data reveals that 23.9 percent of adults were obese in the Hampton Roads region in 2008. This rate is lower than the state or national averages, which were 25.7 percent and 26.6 percent. The Hampton Roads region had the third lowest rate after the Valley and Northern regions in Virginia.
What Influences Obesity?
Body weight is the result of genes, metabolism, behavior, environment, culture and socioeconomic status. Overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance that involves eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity. Behavior, including poor nutrition, environment, exercise choices, and misinformation play a large role in causing people to be overweight and obese.
Data Definitions and Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [various years].
See the Data Sources and Updates Calendar for a detailed list of the data resources used for indicator measures on Hampton Roads Performs.
