Community Input – Overweight and Obesity

Adult Obesity, 2005-2013

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Orange County California 21.1% 20.8% 18.2% 23.5% 23.3% 24.2% 24.7% 27.0% 27.9% 27.9%

Source: California Health Interview Survey, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. http://ask.chis.ucla.edu

Adult overweight and obesity by race and ethnicity indicate high rates among African Americans (83.3%) and whites (61.2%), compared with state averages. Asians in Orange County have the lowest rate of overweight and obesity (38.1%).

Adult Overweight and Obesity by Race/Ethnicity Orange County

African American White Latino Asian Total adult population

Source: California Health Interview Survey, 2016. http://ask.chis.ucla.edu 83.3% 61.2% 60.2% 38.1% 56.6%

California

71.7% 58.1% 73.9% 43.6% 62.7%

Community Input – Overweight and Obesity

Stakeholder interviews identified the following issues, challenges and barriers related to overweight and obesity. Following are their comments, quotes and opinions edited for clarity: • Obesity is one of the most significant issues for the overall health of our population.

We have a cultural set of norms around nutrition that encourage overeating and unhealthy eating, such as eating increased amounts of high fat foods and significantly larger quantities than the average person needs. • The environment in Orange County doesn’t support a healthy lifestyle. We don’t have a lot of walkable communities. There is a lack of perceived safety and parents don’t want kids to go outside and play and get physical activity. We give vehicles priority over people in terms of getting around. We have created a perfect environment for obesity and that is what we got. • Obesity is prevalent at all levels of society. Obese kids do not get that way without their parents’ help. • We know that the lion's share of morbidity and mortality rates are tied to key behaviors, such as a lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets, eating too few fruits and vegetables, and tobacco use, which is still a leading cause of death nationally. If you live in an area without bike lanes, the area is not safe or doesn’t have parks, it is harder to be physically active. It is also more difficult if there aren’t stores with fresh fruits and vegetables, making it harder to choose healthy foods. • If we ate one piece of fruit and a vegetable a day and also cut lard from our diets, we will succeed. We must work within a culture and its food and not say that it is bad.

UCI Medical Center Community Health Needs Assessment 48