Obesity

Obesity in America has become a major health problem, and the percentage of overweight adolescents has more than doubled in the last decade (Michigan Department of Education, 2001). In 1997, Michigan ranked 4th among states with 34.5% of adults overweight (Marquette County Health Department, 2000). Overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults (America's Promise, 2003).

Data from the 2001 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior survey:

11% of students in Michigan were overweight (14% male & 7% female)

46% of students were trying to lose weight (32% male & 62% female)

21% of students reported eating 5 or more fruits & vegetables a day (22% male & 19% female)

61% of students exercised to lose weight or keep from gaining weight in the last 30 days (52% males & 71% females)

Data from the 2000 Marquette County SHAPE survey of adults:

Four out of ten residents (41%) are classified as overweight according to Body Mass Index

60% of residents reported they are slightly overweight or overweight

Only 10% of Marquette County residents eat 5 or more fruits & vegetables a day compared to 27.4% of Michigan residents

32% of residents engage in 30 minutes of moderate activity five or more days per week

Youth Health Data from the 2002 Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors survey in Marquette and Alger Counties:

48% of youth reported that they pay attention to healthy nutrition and exercise

0-10 assets   11-20 assets    21-30 assets    31-40 assets
    18%           42%             65%             81%

15% of youth reported bulimic or anorexic eating behaviors (11% male & 19% female)

26% of youth reported being frequently depressed and/or having attempted suicide

0-10 assets   11-20 assets    21-30 assets    31-40 assets
    53%           29%             11%             2%

References:

America's Promise The Alliance for Youth (2003). Childhood Obesity: A Growing Epidemic. Promise Three Issue Paper. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Marquette County Health Department (2000). SHAPE 2000: Initial Findings. Report. Negaunee, MI: Author.

Michigan Department of Education (2001). 2001 Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey Weight and Nutrition Fact Sheet. Lansing, MI: Author.

Copyright©2003 by the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development except where noted
Contact Judy Watson-Olson or Karen Thompson at (906)228-8919 with questions/comments
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This page was last updated on Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Demographic Information

Obesity