Result 1: Improved Health Status for New Mexicans

P002: Percent of adults who are considered obese

Current Value

28.3%

2016

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

Adult obesity is tracked and reported through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as the percent of respondents whose self-reported height and weight corresponds to a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30.0.
Among New Mexico’s adults, 64.8% are overweight or obese (American Indians have the highest rates at over 74%). Similarly, over one-in-four adults ages 45 years and older has been diagnosed with two or more chronic diseases. Adults with lower socioeconomic status are at greater risk for adopting unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, becoming overweight or obese, and developing chronic disease.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Office of Nutrition and Physical Activity (ONAPA) works closely with local Healthy Kids Healthy Communities (HKHC) coordinators to engage partners and build support for implementing sustainable physical activity and healthy eating initiatives coupled with nutrition education.
Diverse multi-sector coalitions comprised of key community leaders help HKHC achieve meaningful progress in the local food system and built environment.
ONAPA continues to create environments that make it easier for people to eat a healthy diet and be physically active through tasting and cooking demonstrations to increase exposure and access to healthy foods among low-income adults, specifically WIC recipients.

Partners

New Mexico Public Education Department
New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department
New Mexico Human Services Department
New Mexico Department of Transportation
NMDOH Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
New Mexico State University
University of New Mexico
NMDOH health promotion
Schools
Planning organizations
Parks and Recreation
Local/Tribal governments
Healthy Kids Healthy Communities (Chaves, Cibola, Colfax, Curry, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Luna, Roosevelt, San Juan, Socorro counties; pueblos of San Ildefonso, Zuni, Ohkay Owingeh).

What Works

Increased opportunities for, exposure to, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy as well as increased physical activity and limited screen time.
Implement healthy eating and physical activity strategies in a multi-sector approach - policymakers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and healthcare professionals, and individuals working together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. Policy, systems, and environmental changes coupled with nutrition education can also have a positive impact on adult behavior and health and weight status.

Strategy

Implement tasting and cooking demonstrations to increase exposure and access to healthy foods among the 40,000 low-income families and 16,000 low-income senior adults that receive services from food assistance sites across the state, including WIC.

Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.