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Summary

Georgia has the 19th highest adult obesity rate in the nation at 30.7%, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America released in September 2016. (Source: http//stateofobesity.org) Obesity and overweight contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. CVD is the number one cause of death in Georgia. The incidence of diabetes continues to soar in Georgia and cancer remains the second leading cause of death.

Situation

In Georgia, 30.7 % are obese; in Gilmer County 28.9% of adults are obese. Obesity and overweight contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases. CVD is the number one killer in Georgia and with cancer deaths a close second. The State of Obesity article states in 2015 adult diabetes rate in Georgia was 11.3%; the hypertension rate 36.2%; heart disease cases in 2010 were 465,535; obesity related cancer cases in 2010 were 126,027. For every 100,000 people there were 82.5 deaths from heart disease, 154.7 deaths from cancer, 13.8 kidney disease deaths, 43.2 deaths from stroke and 13.6% diagnosed with diabetes in Gilmer County Source: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/CommunityHealth/profile/currentprofile/GA/Gilmer/486 Georgia has higher rates than the U.S. as a whole for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. Risk for two out of three cancers could be reduced by eating a healthier diet, not smoking and being more physically active. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/CommunityHealth/profile/currentprofile/GA/Gilmer/486

Response

Leading a healthy lifestyle (avoiding tobacco use, being physically active, and eating well) greatly reduces a person's risk for developing chronic disease (Centers for Disease Control). One of the best strategies to reduce obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of families; for many this means gaining knowledge on how to improve these habits. For 6 years, Renee Dotson, Gilmer County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, has taught a two and a half hour nutrition class titled “Nutrition Know How.” Subjects covered in Nutrition Know How are: basic nutrition, physical activity, food buying, reading food labels, learning how to convert sugar and fat grams to teaspoons, and portion control. Along with teaching this class newspaper articles are written, newsletters are mailed, state programs are promoted and shorter in length nutrition classes are taught.

Impact

In 2016 a total of 10 newspaper articles relating to health and nutrition were written for the “Ellijay Times Courier” and the “Fannin Focus,” reaching a total of 12,300 subscribers. “Diabetes Lifelines” newsletters are mailed quarterly to 56 households and is distributed in English and Spanish through the Health Department as needed. Sixty three nutrition classes were taught in Gilmer and Fannin Counties by Dotson and the SNAP educator, Becca Pritchett. Dotson taught 28 classes making 1,133 contacts, teaching hours equaling 26.25 and educational credit hours (ECH) totaling 276.25. Pritchett taught 34 SNAP Ed classes, teaching 79 people at the 6 week hour long class making 665 contacts. Volunteer Lupita Stephens taught a one and a half hour nutrition and diabetes education class to 80 Hispanics. A pre and post test is given to the participants of the Nutrition Know How Class. The pre-test average score was 60% and the post-test was 93% showing knowledge was gained by those participating in the class. As part of the post-test participants are asked what they learned, to rate the class, and to answer lifestyle change questions by election “I already do this,” “Less likely,” “Unsure,” or “More likely.” Lifestyle change questions reveal: • 86% are more likely or already eat a healthy breakfast daily; 84% are more likely or already eat less sodium • 89% are more likely or already plan meals before going to the store • 91% are more likely or already make a grocery list and stick to it when shopping • 83% are more likely or already compare fat, sodium, and/or sugar content of similar products by reading food labels The results show: On a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being not helpful to 5 very helpful, 100% rate the class as helpful or very helpful. Example of “I learned” comments: I learned… “how to read food labels,” “to use a food thermometer when cooking food,” “how to calculate grams of sugar and fat into teaspoons,” “there is a difference in good fat and bad fat,” ”the shocking amount of sugar in a both soda and a small box of candy together and I hate to think how often I've eaten this combo,” “healthy habits and portion control and drinks lots of water.”

State Issue

Food, Nutrition and Health

Details

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

Author

  • Dotson, V. Renee
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