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ObesityIt's on the front page of the newspaper, the evening news, and every magazine stand.
What is Obesity?
Obesity is defined as being overweight by at least 30% of ideal body weight. This excess of body fat frequently results in a significant impairment of health. Weight loss would boost the health of 2 in 3 Americans - the number who are overweight.* If you read the newspapers, watch the evening news or just look around you'll see that a great number of Americans are overweight or obese. Nationally, 30% of adults are considered obese, with another 30% above their ideal weight, and 16% of children are overweight. Unfortunately, these numbers are even higher among Vermonters.
A Weighty Problem in Vermont
According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- 55% of Vermont adults are overweight or obese.
- 26% of Vermont high-school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
- 30% of low-income children between 2 and 5 years of age in Vermont are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
The Risk to Health:
Being overweight, or obese places people at higher risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following: - Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
What CVMC is Doing About it:
CVMC has identified reducing the number of overweight and obese people as one of the key focus areas in improving the health and wellbeing of central Vermonters. By preventing overweight and obesity, we can help people avoid many of the diseases listed above and the complications that often accompany them. CVMC is working with community partners including the Vermont Department of Health, local schools and area recreation departments to make it easier for people to make healthy choices. CVMC's Healthy Community program offers free and low-cost workshops which teach the basics of healthy nutrition, as well as new and creative ways to enjoy nutritious foods. The Healthy Community program also provides opportunities to experience new activities and to learn ways to make physical activity enjoyable and part of our daily routines. We want all of our community to feel confident in making healthy food and activity choices.
Two Options:
1) Individual nutrition counseling is available through CVMC's Outpatient Nutrition program.
2) Group glasses are also offered. One such class is : Outweighing the Odds Together. This is a six week nutrition/weight loss program that uses lectures, as well as, group activities and counseling to help participants meet their weight loss goals. The program focuses on providing education as well as helping to set nutrition, exercise and behavior goals. Each participant receives a 30 minute individual counseling session with the dietitian. Out Weighing the Odds Together is a fun, motivating, informative way to get support in transitioning to a healthy lifestyle.
The program leader is Lisa Robinson, RD, a CVMC dietitian that also works counseling clients at Champlain Valley Cardiovascular Associates, South Burlington. She has worked with other weight loss programs including Fletcher Allen Weight Control Group and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. She loves to eat, exercise and educate others on nutrition.
Fee: $100.00
Contact us:
Call Community Health Education for details on how to enroll in this or other programs at (802) 371-4292.
Additional Links:
Web MD
Healthy Vermonters
American Obesity Association
National Women's Health Information Center
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