Community Health Report: Obesity and Health Behaviors in Contra Costa

This report provides an overview of community health in Contra Costa County, California, focusing on obesity and related health behaviors. It examines factors such as physical activity, smoking, and excessive drinking rates, highlighting the impact on the community. The report presents data on obesity rates and the efforts of community health programs. It also discusses initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes, including programs focused on food security, nutrition, and physical activities. Additionally, the report analyzes improvements in health behaviors, such as a decrease in sugary beverage consumption, and provides references to relevant research on community health interventions.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

COMMUNITY HEALTH
“The power of community to create health is far
greater than any physician, clinic or hospital”-
Mark Hyman

OBESITY
Medical state- additional body fat
BMI over 30 is considered as obesity
Risk of developing conditions, arthritis and metabolic
syndrome
Obesity-Depression: An unavoidable link

EFFECTS
Physical health conditions:
•Type 2 diabetes
•Hypertension- High blood
pressure
•Gallbladder disease
•Coronary heart disease
•Low HDL cholesterol High LDL
cholesterol
•Breakdown of bone and cartilage
in the joint- Osteoarthritis
Psychological consequences:
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating disorders- anorexia,
binge eating and bulimia

HEALTH BEHAVIOR OF CONTRA COSTA
The following data reflects the health behaviors which leads to
adverse community health in Contra Costa:
•Access to Exercise Opportunities Rate- 95.80%
•Adult Obesity Rate- 22.40%
•Adult Smoking Rate- 11.60%
•Excessive Drinking Rate- 18.40%
•Physical Inactivity Rate- 16.50%

IMPROVEMENTS- CONTRA COSTA
An extensive survey analysis of Contra Costa reflects the data regarding the
consumption of sugary beverage. The survey of depicted improved results in
2017 which dropped from 80 percent (2013) to 63 percent (2017). The obesity
rate of adults in Contra Costa County in 2015 was around 22.40 percent (Dooley,
Patel & Schmidt, 2015).

HEALTH COMMUNITIES OF CONTRA
COSTA
oThe Health Communities Program of Contra Costa
county staff, elected officials, community
organizations, city staff, residents and schools.
oThe program concentrates on:
Food Security and Nutrition
Physical activities

HEALTH COMMUNITIES INITIATIVES

References:
• Dooley, D., Patel, A., & Schmidt, L. A. (2015). Chocolate milk in schools. Pediatrics, 136(6),
e1680-e1680.
• Hemenway, D. (2017). Prevention diaries by Larry Cohen. Injury Prevention, 23(5), 355-355.
• Kao, J., Woodward-Lopez, G., Kuo, E. S., James, P., Becker, C. M., Lenhart, K., & Rauzon, S.
(2018). Improvements in physical activity opportunities: results from a community-based
family child care intervention. American journal of preventive medicine, 54(5), S178-S185.
• Ko, M., Sanders, C., De Guia, S., Shimkhada, R., & Ponce, N. A. (2018). Managing Diversity To
Eliminate Disparities: A Framework For Health. Health Affairs, 37(9), 1383-1393.
• Messito, M. J., Mendelsohn, A., Scheinmann, R., & Gross, R. (2018). Starting Early/Empezando
Temprano: Randomized Control Trial to Test the Effectiveness of a Child Obesity Prevention
Program. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 50(7), S120-S121.
• Wolstein, J., Babey, S. H., & Diamant, A. L. (2015). Obesity in California. UCLA Center for
Health Policy Research.