Creighton Improving Community Health Through CDC-Funded Grant

New CDC data show adult obesity in Nebraska remains high

New CDC adult obesity prevalence maps show that obesity remains high in Nebraska, with an estimated 718,000 adults — about 37 percent of the state’s population — living with obesity.

Creighton University’s Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity (CPHHE) is addressing this challenge through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, a five-year, nearly $3 million CDC cooperative agreement — now in its third year — that supports community-based strategies to improve health in Douglas County.

“Our program is promoting healthy nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding support for more than 143,000 residents in Douglas County,” said Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, Principal Investigator and Professor in the Creighton University School of Medicine. “Together, these strategies help reduce health disparities and strengthen community health."

Early prevention and treatment are especially important in addressing obesity because children often carry weight-related habits and health risks into adulthood.

“Nutrition is fundamental to better health. Assisting individuals to make better diet choices can support a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and strengthen the wellbeing of those we serve. This is certainly reflective of Creighton’s mission to care for the whole person and support our community,” said Mardell Wilson, EdD, RDN, Provost and Professor at Creighton University and a subject matter expert for the award.

The new maps, based on self-reported height and weight data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), show that obesity remains high nationwide. At least one in four adults in every state is living with obesity. Middle-aged adults (40–59) are about 30 percent more likely to have obesity than younger adults (18–39) and 25 percent more likely than adults over 60.

Creighton experts underscore both the risks of obesity and the steps individuals can take to improve their health.

“Individuals with obesity are at increased risk for stigma, social isolation, and serious health conditions,” said John R. Stone, MD, PhD, Co-Director of CPHHE and Professor Emeritus. “And we know from scientific evidence that exercising three times a week until you sweat improves health and life expectancy,” added Richard Brown, PhD, FACHE, Executive Director of the REACH program.

CPHHE, located in the Creighton School of Medicine, collaborates with the Douglas County Health Department and a wide network of community partners, supported by Creighton-certified Community Health Workers, to improve health and reduce obesity. The work focuses on individuals most affected by obesity and other chronic diseases.

Partners include Charles Drew Community Health Center, OneWorld Community Health Centers, North Omaha Area Health Clinic, Omaha Housing Authority, Urban League, Comunidad Maya Pixan Ixim, Nebraska Center for Healthy Families, numerous faith-based organizations, and City Sprouts.

Together, these groups advance the CDC strategies of improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, providing breastfeeding support, and building healthier communities.