802-371-4100 (MAIN NUMBER)

Obesity

If you read the newspapers, watch the evening news or just look around you'll see that a great number of Americans are overweight or obese.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is defined as being overweight by at least 30% of ideal body weight. This excess of body fat frequently results in a significant impairment of health. Nationally, 30% of adults are considered obese, with another 30% above their ideal weight, and 16% of children are overweight. Unfortunately, these numbers are even higher among Vermonters.

A Weighty Problem in Vermont

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • 55% of Vermont adults are overweight or obese.
  • 26% of Vermont high-school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight
  • 30% of low-income children between 2 and 5 years of age in Vermont are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight

The Risk to Health

Being overweight or obese places people at higher risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:

  • Hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
  • Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)

What CVMC Is Doing About Obesity

CVMC has identified reducing the number of overweight and obese people as one of the key focus areas in improving the health and wellbeing of central Vermonters. By preventing overweight and obesity, we can help people avoid many of the diseases listed above and the complications that often accompany them. CVMC is working with community partners including the Vermont Department of Health, local schools and area recreation departments to make it easier for people to make healthy choices.

In addition, CVMC's Healthy Community Program offers free and low-cost workshops that teach the basics of healthy nutrition, as well as new and creative ways to enjoy nutritious foods. The Healthy Community program also provides opportunities to experience new activities and to learn ways to make physical activity enjoyable and part of our daily routines. We want all of our community to feel confident in making healthy food and activity choices.

Get help TODAY!

Individual nutrition counseling and group classes are available through CVMC's Outpatient Health Education Department. Call Outpatient Health Education at 802-371-4152 to make an appointment or to get more information about all of our programs.

Additional Links:

Web MD
Healthy Vermonters
American Obesity Association
National Women's Health Information Center