Local Data
Clark County Adults and Youth -- Updated April 2007
Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight
Prevalence of Diabetes
Prevalence of Asthma
Risk Factors of Nutrition
Risk Factors of Physical Activity
Risk Factors of Tobacco Use
Prevalence of Obesity and Overweight
In 2001 the Surgeon General reported that an estimated 300,000 preventable deaths per year may be attributable to obesity. Since the risk of death rises with increasing weight, even moderate weight excess of 10 to 20 pounds, particularly among adults aged 30 to 64, is considered significant. Overweight and obesity contribute to greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent), hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease and other health complications.
As with adults, there has been a dramatic increase in the percent of youth who are overweight in recent years. Poor nutrition and lack of regular moderate physical activity can also be a risk factor for preventable diseases among youth — both of which impact academic performance. Obesity in children and adolescents contributes to many health and social consequences that often continue into adulthood and create significant financial impacts on the healthcare system and workplaces.
Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults
| BMI Category | ||
| below 18.5 | - | Underweight |
| 18.5-24.9 | - | Healthy Weight |
| 25-29.9 | - | Overweight |
| over 30 | - | Obese |
Obesity among adults is defined using a measure of weight in relation to height known as the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is used to determine whether an adult, male or female, falls into a broad range considered to be underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
The prevalence of obesity among adults in Clark County has risen dramatically in recent years. In 1996, one out of six (16%) adults were obese. By 2005, obesity increased to one out of four adults (25%) in Clark County. Nationwide, Washington State and Clark County are above the national target for no more than 15 percent of obese adults by the year 2010.
*Body Mass Index ( BMI ) >= 30 obese.
Source: Clark County, Washington State and United States BRFSS.
Overweight, a predecessor to obesity, has also increased in Clark County, Washington State and the nation. In 1996, almost half (46%) of adults were either overweight or obese in Clark County. By 2005, three out of five adults (62%) were either overweight or obese.
*Body Mass Index ( BMI ) 25-29.9 overweight and >= 30 obese.
Source: Clark County, Washington State and United States, BRFSS.
Overweight and obesity varies by gender. More males are overweight compared to females, 44 percent versus 29 percent in 2005. Males lead females in the combined overweight and obesity rates as well, 71 percent for males and 52 percent for females in 2005. However, there was an alarming increase in obesity among females in Clark County from 17 percent in 1999 to 29 percent in 2004.
Source: Clark County, BRFSS.
Source: Clark County, BRFSS.
While the obesity rate has risen among Clark County adult women, more women remain in the healthy weight range than men. Almost half of Clark County adult women (48%) reported healthy weight, while less than one third of Clark County adult men (29%) reported BMI in the healthy weight range in 2005.
Prevalence of Overweight and At Risk for Overweight Among Youth
Overweight for children and adolescents (ages 6-19) is defined as a sex- and age-specific BMI at or above the 95th percentile, based on revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts (www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/). Those between the 85th and 95th percentile are considered at risk of becoming overweight. There is no separate definition for obesity among youth.
*Percent of youth who are overweight or in the top 5% BMI by age and gender, and at risk for overweight which includes the top 15%, but not the top 5%. Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Nationally, the percent of children (age 6-11) that are overweight has more than doubled since 1980 from 7 percent to 16 percent in 2002. The percent of overweight adolescents (age 12-19) tripled from 5 percent in 1980 to 16 percent in 2002.
One out of four eighth graders and high school students (tenth and twelfth graders) reported being overweight or at risk for overweight both in 2004 and 2006. This is similar to Washington State.
Prevalence of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases of our time and is increasing in epidemic proportions. Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body produces or uses insulin. There are four different types of diabetes, the most common among Americans are type 2 (non-insulin dependent) and pre-diabetes. Both type 2 and pre-diabetes can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle modifications, specifically moderate weight loss and increased physical activity.
Prevalence of Diabetes Among Adults
Diabetes among adults is defined as having been told by a health professional that you have diabetes. Slightly more than one out of twenty (6%) adults in Clark County and Washington State had diabetes in 2005.
Source: Clark County, Washington State and United States, BRFSS.
Prevalence of Diabetes Among Youth
Diabetes among youth is defined as having been told by a health professional that you have diabetes. Diabetes prevalence is similar among adults and youth. Slightly more than one out of twenty (6%) twelfth graders in Clark County reported having diabetes in 2006.
*Percent of students told by a health professional that they have diabetes.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Prevalence of Asthma
Asthma is a lung disease that causes trouble with breathing and is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. Asthma can be life threatening if not properly managed. Washington State’s asthma rate is among the highest in the United States. Obesity and cigarette smoking are associated with higher asthma rates. Limiting exposure to environmental triggers such as second hand smoke plays an important role in asthma management.
Prevalence of Asthma Among Adults
Current adult asthma prevalence is defined as having been told by a health professional that you have asthma and reporting that you still have asthma. One out of ten (10%) Clark County residents reported having asthma in 2005. This is similar to the state and the nation and has remained constant since 2002.
Source: Clark County, Washington State and United States, BRFSS.
Prevalence of Asthma Among Youth
Youth asthma prevalence is defined as having been told by a health professional that they had asthma. The percent of youth reporting having asthma remained the same in 2004 and 2006. One out of eight (13%) sixth graders and one out of five (20%) high school students (tenth and twelfth graders) in Clark County and Washington State reported having asthma.
*Percent of students told by a health professional that they had asthma.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Risk Factors of Nutrition
Poor nutrition is a risk factor for obesity and a number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Getting plenty of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet has been associated with reduced rates of obesity and can help ward off heart disease and stroke, aid in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes, and prevent some types of cancer. Few adults in our country consume an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables to realize these benefits.
Because of the tremendous benefits of fruits and vegetables in the diet, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating more fruits and vegetables than any other food group. Individuals are encouraged to eat from five to thirteen servings a day, depending on a person’s caloric needs which are determined by their age, sex and physical activity level. The average American gets a total of just three servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Calculating a serving can be difficult since fruits and vegetables are consumed either raw, cooked or as juices. Dietary recommendations now are based on standard measuring cups. Two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables are recommended per day for a 2,000 calorie intake, with higher or lower depending on calorie and activity levels.
In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens can be considered as 1 cup from the vegetable group. And, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ˝ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the fruit group. Additionally, eating a variety of different colored fruits and vegetables is necessary to get the broadest range of nutrients. All colors of fruits and vegetables are important—red, green, yellow, blue, purple, white and orange.
Risk Factors of Nutrition for Adults
While the new recommended measure for fruits and vegetables are cups, survey data is collected in servings. One out of four adults (25%) reported eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables per day in Clark County in 2005. This is a slight increase over 2003 when one out of five (21%) adults reported eating at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The Clark County rate is similar to both the Washington State rate and the national rate in 2005.
Source: Clark County, Washington State, and United States, BRFSS.
Risk Factors of Nutrition for Youth
There has been a small but significant increase in the fruit and vegetable consumption among eighth graders from 25% in 2004 to 30% in 2006. However, fruit and vegetable consumption declines as youth increase in age. Only one out of five (20%) twelfth graders reported eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables in 2006. Clark County youth fruit and vegetable consumption is similar to Washington State’s.
*Percent of youth who ate 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Family Dinner Frequency
Frequent family dinners have been shown to increase adolescent health and well-being, reduce substance abuse, and improve dietary intake. Family meals allow children the opportunity to learn communication skills, manners, good eating habits and nutrition. Studies suggest better dietary quality (increase in fruit and vegetable consumption) for children who have an increased frequency of family meals. Furthermore, increased family meal frequency may be associated with decreased risk of certain delinquent behaviors such as substance abuse, poor grades, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behavior. The frequency of family dinners declines as youth increase in age. Four out of five sixth graders reported eating dinner with their families ‘most othe time’ or ‘always’ compared to fewer than half twelfth graders in Clark County and Washington State in both 2004 and 2006.
*Percent of youth who reported eating dinner with family 'most of the time' or 'always.'
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Soda Consumption
Soda consumption leads to excess caloric intake and weight gain. Consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks has been associated with childhood obesity. Excessive soda consumption is measured as reporting drinking more than two sodas. This does not include diet soda. From 2004 to 2006 there has been a decline in excessive soda consumption among middle and high school students in Clark County and statewide.
*Percent of youth who drank one or more sodas per day; does not include diet soda.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Risk Factors of Physical Activity
Physical inactivity is associated with obesity, increased chronic diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease, and increased health care costs. Overwhelming scientific evidence now indicates that regular physical activity can be linked to a longer lifespan, and lowered risk of major illnesses. Physical activity also enhances psychological well-being.
Risk Factors of Physical Activity for Adults
Moderate physical activity causes small increases in breathing or heart rate. Vigorous physical activity causes large increases in breathing or heart rate. Adequate physical activity among adults is defined as having 30 minutes or more of moderate activity at least five days per week or 20 minutes or more of vigorous activity at least three days per week. One out of two adults in Clark County and Washington State met the national physical activity recommendations in 2003 and 2005.
Source: Clark County and Washington State BRFSS.
Risk Factors of Physical Activity for Youth
Physical activity is necessary for lifetime fitness. Increasing participation in physical activity has been shown to increase student academic performance and ability to focus. Moderate physical activity is defined as having 30 minutes or more on at least five or more days per week of activity that did not make you sweat and breathe hard, such as fast walking, slow bicycling, skating, pushing a lawn mower, or moppingfloors. One-third of youth in Clark County and Washington State reported this level of moderate physical activity2004 and 2006.
*Percent of youth who reported physical activity for at least 30 minutes that did not make you sweat or breath hard on 5 or more days of the past seven days. Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Neighborhood Walking and Biking
Walking and biking for transportation is one way to maintain moderate physical activity levels and ensure an active lifestyle. Youth were asked on how many days, in an average week, did they walk or bicycle near their home or school, not counting very short trips, such as walking from the car to your house or walking to get the mail. One out of two sixth graders reported walking or biking near their home or school on three or more days per week. Only one out of four twelfth graders reported walking or biking on three or more days per week in both Clark County and Washington State in 2006.
*Percent of youth who walk or bicycle near home or school on three or more days per week.
Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Depression
Regular physical activity reduces stress, improves mood, helps relieve depression, and increases feelings of well-being. Severely depressed students are defined as those who reported that during the past 12 months they felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities. One out of four youth in Clark County and Washington State reported being severely depressed in 2004 and in 2006.
*Percent of youth who have been severely depressed in the past year.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Excessive Screen Time
Watching excessive amounts of television or playing excessive amounts of video or computer games leads to a sedentary lifestyle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that youth limit TV or video time to no more than two hours per day. Excessive screen time is defined as spending more than three hours per day watching television or playing video or computer games.
More than 3 Hours a Day of TV Viewing
There was no change from 2004 to 2006 among youth who watch more than three hours of television per day. In 2006, one out of four eighth graders in Clark County reported excessive TV watching compared to one out of five twelfth graders. These rates are similar in Washington State.
* Percent of youth who report watching 3 or more hours of television on an average school day.
Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Surveys.
More than 3 Hours a Day of Playing Video or Computer Games
There was an increase from 2004 to 2006 among youth who play video games or use a computer for fun for more than three hours daily. The increase was most notable among twelfth graders. In 2004, one out of ten twelfth graders reported playing video games for more than three hours daily. By 2006, this had risen to one out of five in both Clark County and Washington State.
* Percent of youth who report playing video games or using a computer
for fun for 3 or more
hours on an average school day.
Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Risk Factors of Tobacco Use
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Tobacco use greatly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to all people. There are no safe limits of secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is particularly harmful for children and pregnant women.
Risk Factors of Tobacco Use for Adults
Tobacco use prevalence is measured by levels of current cigarette smokers. Smoking among adults is defined as having smoked 100 or more cigarettes during your lifetime and currently smoking “every day” or “some days.”
One out of five adults (19%) in Clark County smoked in 2005. This is a decline from 1999 when one out of four adults (26%) smoked. Adult smoking levels in Washington State and the nation have declined slightly in recent years. The national target is that no more than 12 percent of adults smoke cigarettes by the year 2010.
Source: Clark County, Washington State and United States, BRFSS.
Risk Factors of Tobacco Use for Youth
Cigarette Smoking
Tobacco use among youth is defined as the percent of students who reported cigarette smoking in the past 30 days. Slightly more than one out of twenty (6%) eighth graders smoked cigarettes in 2006. This is a decline from 2002 when 10 percent of Clark County eighth graders reported smoking. By twelfth grade, one out of five students (21%) reported smoking cigarettes.
*Percent of students who report any cigarette smoking in past 30 days.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
Chewing Tobacco and Cigar Smoking
Chewing tobacco and cigar smoking also contribute to youth tobacco use. Twelfth graders were three times more likely to use chewing tobacco or smoke cigars than eighth graders. One disturbing trend is that use of other forms of tobacco, such as chewing tobacco and cigars, has increased significantly from 2004 to 2006. The most striking increase is seen in cigar smoking. Among high school seniors, cigar smoking increased from 18 percent in 2004 to 29 percent in 2006.
*Percent of students who report any use in past 30 days.
Source: WA State Healthy Youth Surveys.
