Obesity rates in South Carolina have doubled since 1990. Sixty five percent of adults in the state are obese or overweight, and more than one-third of our high school students are overweight or obese.
Overweight and obesity and the associated risk factors of unhealthy eating and inadequate amounts of physical activity increase the risk for developing other chronic conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, arthritis, sleep apnea, and depression. These chronic conditions result in a significant toll to the health care system. The total cost of obesity in the United States was $117 billion in 2000. Obesity-attributable medical costs for South Carolina alone reached over one billion dollars in 2003.
Overweight and obesity are the result of an imbalance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure; however this is a complex relationship and many factors influence this relationship. Healthy lifestyles that include regular physical activity and good eating habits are the most effective way to prevent obesity, yet these goals are often difficult for people to achieve in today’s society.
The burden of poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity is significant:
- In 2007, South Carolina had the seventh worst obesity rate in the nation, with 65% of all South Carolina adults either overweight or obese. When examined across race/ethnicity in South Carolina adults, a larger proportion of African-Americans in the state are overweight or obese (73.6%) as compared Whites (63%). (Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, BRFSS, 2007).
- South Carolinians consistently do not meet recommended levels of physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables (BRFSS 2007).
- South Carolina mothers rank 43rd out of all states in breastfeeding rates (National Immunization Survey, 2007).
The U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity sites that there is a 70% chance of overweight adolescents becoming overweight or obese adults. The chances increase to 80% if one or more of the parents are overweight or obese.
- High school students: (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, YRBS, 2007)
- 17.1% of SC high school students are overweight (Blacks = 20.5% and Whites = 14.8%).
- 14.4% of SC high school students are obese (Blacks = 17.4% and Whites = 11.3%).
- 17% of SC high school students ate the recommended five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day
- 70% do not meet current physical activity recommendations.
- Middle School 2005 (2005 Middle School YRBS)
- 16.1% of SC middle school students are overweight (Blacks = 17.3% and Whites = 15.4%).
- 16.1% of SC middle school students are obese (Blacks = 23.4% and Whites = 10.6%).
- South Carolina’s youngest children are also impacted as over 25% of low income children ages two through five are overweight or obese.