South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Focus & Deliverables
• Strategies Employed
• Obesity State Plan
• Eat Smart, Move More...SC
• Data & Reports
• Links & Resources

Focus and Deliverables

The goal of SC DOPC is to prevent and control obesity by developing, coordinating, and implementing science-based nutrition and physical activity approaches in partnership with public and private leaders in obesity and chronic disease prevention. Strategies, particularly focusing on policy and environmental change, will address the evidence-based behaviors for obesity prevention.

Strategies for Obesity Prevention in SC

1. Increasing physical activity. It is well documented that overweight and obesity result from an energy imbalance. This involves not only eating too many calories, but also not getting enough physical activity. Physical activity decreases the risk for colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among the elderly; and helps to relieve the pain of arthritis.
2. Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. Consumption of fruits and vegetables has a correlation to the risk for overweight and obesity. Additionally, diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some forms of cancer and other chronic diseases. Most fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and are filling.
3. Decreasing consumption of sugar sweetened beverages. A significant portion of the added sugar in one’s diet comes from sugar-sweetened beverages.  Since the 1970s, soft drink consumption has increased dramatically.
4. Increasing breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. Recent research has indicated that the extent and duration of breastfeeding have been found to be inversely associated with risk of obesity in later childhood. In addition, breastfeeding also provides a range of benefits for the infant’s development and immunity as well as improving maternal health by helping the mother return to a healthy pre-pregnancy weight
5. Reduce consumption of high energy dense foods.  Balancing caloric intake and expenditure. The rise in obesity is paralleled with an increase in the amount of calories consumed. The average caloric intake has increased from 1,774 per day (1998-1991) to 2,002 kcal per day (1994-1996).
6. Reducing TV viewing time. Because TV viewing time is primarily a sedentary activity, increased TV viewing time is associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity. It has also been suggested that the increased exposure to food advertisements during TV viewing may contribute to an increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods.