AUDRAIN CITY-COUNTY HEALTH UNIT (ACCHU)
Maternal Child Health
2008 – 2011  Efforts to reduce obesity in our county include –
A number of established walking trails in Mexico and surrounding areas.
Fun runs scheduled by YMCA and other organizations
Farmer’s Market and its advancement locally
Public schools limiting the number of “sugar” drinks and snacks available
Weight loss contests through YMCA, churches and various agencies
Work place wellness opportunities – i.e. public school reduced rates at the    
YMCA and local fitness centers
Restaurants offering weight conscious menu items
Running/jogging clubs and groups organized by families, schools and
community organizations
Love and Logic training opportunities for parents and caregivers
Other -
Advertisement regarding various weight reduction opportunities –
1.       Mexico Ledger
2.      Vandalia Leader
3.      Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
4.      KXEO Community Calendar
5.      Mex TV
6.      Church newsletters and bulletins
7.      Other

In spite of many efforts both locally and nationally, obesity continues to be a
serious problem in our county as well as our country.  In July of 2011 the
Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
released as report, “F as in Fat:  How Obesity Threatens America’s Future”
the new obesity rankings show Missouri as the 11th most obese state.  
During the same month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
released information showing that Missouri is now in the Top Ten most obese
states.  Overall this report shows that the number of obese Americans has
increased by 2.4 million since 2007.  The Missouri Department of  Health
and Senior Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
report in June of 2011 reports the percentage of Missourians that are
“overweight” ( – BMI 25.0-29.0)  in 2010 was 34.4% while the percent of
those categorized as “obese” (-BMI 30.0 and greater) is 31.4%. It is
somewhat difficult to find current statistics for Audrain County however, the
Department of Health & Human Services Community Health Status
Indicators from 2009 show Audrain County’s obesity rate as 25.2% as
compared to County Health Rankings describing Audrain County’s obesity
rate in 2011 at 30% and compared to 2007 MICA data depicting Audrain
county at 35.35% overweight and 33.11% as obese.

Much of the research currently focuses on childhood obesity which has
increased rapidly beginning in the 1980s and 1990s and has continued to
rise.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly from June of 2011 describes detailed concerns about the
impact of childhood obesity on health issues in childhood as well as
adulthood.  The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report from June of 2011 reports
on health conditions and behavioral risk factors of Missourians that contribute
to obesity concerns.  The 2010 Missouri BRFSS Key Findings also identifies
obesity with gender as well as income –

“Significantly more males (42.2%) than females (26.9%) were overweight.  
Significantly more with annual household incomes of $75,0000 and greater
(41.1%) were overweight than those with incomes of $25,000 - $34,999
(29.7%) $15,000-$24,999 (30.6%) and less than $15,000 (26.5%). “  
however “Significantly more with annual household incomes of less than
$15,000 (40.%) and $15,000-$24,999(36.9%) were obese than those with
household incomes of more than $75,000 (26.0%).”

There is a lot of information regarding the fight against obesity.  The
opportunities in Audrain County appear to be mirrored in many
communities/counties.  The American Medical News in July of 2011 suggests

Pediatrician education of parents
Healthy restaurant choices – especially geared to children
Making healthy food choices available in grocery stores and restaurants at
similar prices to other food choices
The CDC in June of 2011 offers suggestions which include:

Physical activity environments in places where persons live, learn, work and
play.
Breastfeeding infants
Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables
Reducing time spent watching TV and playing video games
Increasing availability of water in parks and recreational areas
Increase opportunities for physical activity at school, day care and the work
place
Policy changes for child care settings and schools
September has been declared National Childhood Obesity Awareness
Month.  http://www.healthierkidsbrighterfutures.org/ is a website containing
posters as well as facts that can be shared to alert our community to this
nationwide social and medical issue.  It contains a number of ideas and
promotions that can be used in homes, churches, schools and in communities
Love & Logic Flyer - click here
Maternal Child Health Report
August, 2011