- Overweight and obesity have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems, and are important concerns for adults, children, and adolescents in the United States.
- An estimated 26.7 percent of adults in the United States reported being obese in 2009, up 1.1 percentage points since 2007 (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System)
. - Approximately 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity (Office of the Surgeon General) .
- In 2008, the annual healthcare cost of obesity in the US was estimated to be as high as 147 billion dollars a year (Finkelstein 2009).
Community Guide Recommendations
Behavioral interventions to reduce screen time
Behavioral interventions to reduce screen time (time spent watching TV, videotapes, or DVDs; playing video or computer games; and surfing the internet) can be single-component or multicomponent and often focus on changing screen time through classes aimed at improving children’s or parents’ knowledge, attitudes, or skills. These interventions may include:
- Skills building, tips, goal setting, and reinforcement techniques
- Parent or family support through provision of information on environmental strategies to reduce access to television, video games, and computers
- A “TV turnoff challenge” in which participants are encouraged not to watch TV for a specified number of days
Multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions
Technology-supported multicomponent coaching or counseling interventions use technology to facilitate or mediate interactions between a coach or counselor and an individual or group, with a goal of influencing weight-related behaviors or weight-related outcomes. These interventions often also include other components, which may be technological or non-technological.
Technology-supported components may include use of the following:
- Computers (e.g., internet, CD-ROM, e-mail, kiosk, computer program)
- Video conferencing
- Personal digital assistants
- Pagers
- Pedometers with computer interaction
- Computerized telephone system interventions that target physical activity, nutrition, or weight.
Non-technological components may include use of the following:
- In-person counseling
- Manual tracking
- Printed lessons
- Written feedback
Because of differences in implementation and intended outcomes, interventions aimed at reducing weight were considered separately from those intended to maintain weight loss.
Worksite programs
Worksite nutrition and physical activity programs are designed to improve health-related behaviors and health outcomes. These programs can include one or more approaches to support behavioral change including informational and educational, behavioral and social, and policy and environmental strategies.
Welcome to Thrive SEK’s Blog
Thrive SEK is launching this blog to keep you informed about health-related news and activities in our region. At the bottom of most pages on this website, you will see the blog entries that are relevant to the topics on that page. The goal of Thrive Southeast Kansas is to encourage healthy lifestyles in our area. This website blog is just one tool that we will use to accomplish that goal. We are in the process of adding new information and features to the website, so check back regularly for updates. If you have suggestions for information to feature on this website, please e-mail us at info@thriveallencounty.org. Thank you for visiting.