Nutrition, Physical Status and ObesityLaurel AndersonJacksonville University

Nutrition, Physical Status and ObesityObjective of Healthy People 2020Healthy People 2020 comprises long-term health goals for the betterment of national health.Healthy People 2020 Goals: Attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death. Achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups. Create social and physical environments that promote good health for all. (Centers for Disease Control)

Overview of ProgramGoal is to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk through the consumption of healthful diets and achievement and maintenance of healthy body weights (healthypeople.gov).Physical activity, nutrition and weight status are all equally important and must all be adequately maintained to achieve actual health.

Overview of Program

The Nutrition and Weight Status objectives for Healthy People 2020 are indicative of evidence supporting how vital it is for eating healthy and being at a healthy weight.Objectives also define how to change learned behaviors to make more mindful choices in regards to food and exercise whether at home or at work.

Severity of Problem in the United StatesGood nutrition and a healthy body weight can curb potential health problems such as :ObesityMalnutritionIron-deficiency anemiaHeart diseaseHypertensionPregnancy complicationsSource: healthypeople.gov

Obesity in the United StatesOverweight and Obesity among Adults Age 20 and Older, United States, 20092010Estimated Percentage by BMI

Normal weight or underweight (BMI under 24.9): 31.2% Overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9): 33.1% Obesity (BMI of 30+): 35.7% Extreme obesity (BMI of 40+): 6.3% Source: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Monitoring Program OutcomesHealthy People 2010 previously included specific goals that mirror the Healthy People 2020 goals regarding Nutrition, Physical Status and Obesity; almost none of the goals were met in 2010. Rates of obesity from 2000-2010 actually increased.In 2010, health disparities were also observed between racial and ethnic groups, monetary income and disability status.

Desired Change in OutcomesFinal results for 2020 goals will not be in until 2018, however, some movement in the positive direction is happening:From 2008 to 2014, the rate for adults aged 18 years and over who met the guidelines for physical activity increased by 17%, from 18.2% to 21.3%, exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of 20.1% (healthypeople.gov)

Desired Change in OutcomesHowever, between 20032004 and 20132014, the obesity rate increased among adults aged 20 years and over, from 32.2% in 20032004 to 37.7% in 20132014, with the Healthy People 2020 goal being set at 30.6%Between 200508 and 200912, there was no statistically significant change in the mean daily vegetable intake for persons aged 2 years and over with the Healthy People 2020 goal being set at 1.16 cup vegetables/1000 calories (healthypeople.gov)

Desired Change for Healthy People 2020

Source: Healthypeople.gov

Program SustainabilityPeriodic evaluation of the social program, including management, program outcomes and financial solvency, becomes essential when a program has been designed to be maintained over a long period of time (Milstead, 2016, p. 198). Healthy People 2020 was implemented to better society as a whole and can be utilized far into the future. This program has the potential to sustain for as long as required to instruct and inform people about healthy living.

Healthy People 2020 and the Affordable Care ActThe Affordable Care Act was implemented to improve health care for all individuals and the population.The passage of the Affordable Care Act builds on and strengthens the foundation for prevention and wellness that Healthy People established. Both promote health and wellness through prevention

Funding the Program

The Office of Disease Prevention and Promotion coordinates the Healthy People initiative, which includes agencies from Health and Human Services and other Federal departments.

The National Center for Health Statistics serves as the Healthy People data support team and provides funding for the major national data sources used to track many Healthy People objectives. (healthypeople.gov)

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Program Intervention RevisionsIt is important to evaluate periodically to ensure that the program is progressing as designed andrevisions are made appropriately (Milstead, 2016, p. 199).Every 10 years, this program has the ability to adapt to the health needs of the population and goals can be revised based on the collected data.Collecting data to provide preventative care and information about healthy living is essential to Healthy People 2020.

ConclusionNutrition, Physical Status and Obesity are a large component of Healthy People 2020Obesity and inadequate nutrition and exercise account for a majority of preventable diseasesUtilizing information found in the program can lead to healthier, longer lives and can be used as a benchmark for future generations and other countries to adopt healthy practices

ReferencesFielding, J., Teutsch, S., & Koh, H. (2012). Health Reform and Healthy People Initiative. Am J Public Health, 102(1), 30-33. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3490564/ Healthy People 2010 Final Review. (2013, January 22). Retrieved February 10, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/healthy_people/hp2010/hp2010_final_review.htm Healthy People 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved February 09, 2016, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/ Leading Health Indicators Development and Framework. (n.d.). Retrieved February 09, 2016, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/Leading-Health-Indicators-Development-and-Framework Milstead, J. A. (2016). Health Policy and Politics (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning. National Prevention Strategy: America's Plan for Better Health and Wellness. (2014, January 17). Retrieved February 09, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PreventionStrategy/ Overweight and Obesity Statistics. (2012, October). Retrieved February 09, 2016, from http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx