Contact Your County Office
Translation Disclaimer close

Users agree that automated translations may not effectively convert the intended design, meaning, and/or context of the website, may not translate images or PDF content, and may not take into account regional language differences. Any person that uses the translated site does so at that person’s own risk. UGA Extension is not responsible for any damages, costs, liability, or risk associated with any use, functionality, and/or content of the website translations.

For more information, visit the Language Translation page.

Summary

In Georgia, 64.8% of adults are overweight and 29.6% are obese. Both obesity and being overweight contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. In Georgia, CVD is the number one killer with cancer being the second leading cause of death. Most Georgia counties have obesity rates of 30%; 33% have high blood pressure; 36% have high cholesterol; between 2000 and 2010, the prevalence of Diabetes has increased by 40%; and Georgia has the highest rates (in the US as a whole) for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. The risk for two out of three cancers could be reduced by eating a healthier diet, not smoking and being more physically active.

Situation

In Augusta-Richmond County (ARC), 32.8% of adults are obese. Annually, 383 per 100,000 die from heart disease, 98 per 100,000 die from strokes, 11.1% are diagnosed with Diabetes, and 475.5 out of 100,000 are diagnosed with cancer

Response

If people who are overweight would lose between 5 – 7% of their body weight and exercise 20 - 25 minutes each day for five or more days a week, approximately 60% of those at risk for developing diabetes would not develop. • Body weight has less impact on morbidity and mortality if the person is physically fit. • Community-based lifestyle interventions can reduce excess weight, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Impact

The FACS agent partnered with the Salvation Army's Kroc Center to teach the Women's Life-skills program promoting dietary change and increase in physical activity to control weight for low-income women. • The FACS agent provided over 224 educational contact hours of nutrition, chronic disease, meal planning and exercise to 98 individuals. • The class information included “MyPlate.com,” “Eating out, Eating Healthy,” “Low-Fat, Low Sodium Food Choices,” “Nutrition Labels,” and “Reducing the Incidences of Heart Disease and Diabetes.” • According to pre and post-evaluations: - 92% improved their knowledge of the MyPlate and healthy eating - 96% of the class participants said the workshops helped them to make healthy food choices and have changed their eating habits. - 85% of the participants planned to use liquid oils instead of solid fat in food preparation and would reduce purchasing meals at convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

State Issue

Food, Nutrition and Health

Details

  • Year: 2016
  • Geographic Scope: County
  • County: Richmond
  • Program Areas:
    • Family and Consumer Sciences

Author

  • English, Elizabeth E.
Back To
Extension Impact