COLUMBIA, S.C. – Following the release of data on obesity in the United States, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding the public of the threat obesity possesses to good health and reaffirming its commitment to helping South Carolinians live healthier lives.
While adult obesity rates have remained stable over the past five years, as noted in the newly released State of Obesity Report, South Carolina continues to be one of 23 states with an overall adult obesity rate at or above 35%.
As of 2023, 36% of South Carolina adults are obese, and equally alarming is the disparity in the African American and Native American populations with obesity rates of 45.6% and 42.3%, respectively. Additionally, 39% of South Carolina public school students are overweight or obese.
“DPH takes the findings of this report seriously, as obesity is associated with many negative health outcomes, including chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DPH deputy director of Health Promotion and Services and chief medical officer. “Our state has excellent programs to address adult and childhood obesity, and this report provides insight into areas where we can strive to make improvements to better meet the needs of our residents.”
Obesity prevention should begin in childhood. DPH and the South Department of Education continue to collaborate on initiatives such as SC FitnessGram, a statewide movement to evaluate and improve the health-related fitness among public school students in South Carolina. Participating schools annually collect fitness data of students in second, fifth, and eighth grades, and high school. The findings are used to develop programs and policies to improve student health across the state. Reducing childhood obesity is also a national security issue, as obesity is one of the primary reasons less than 50% of young adults are qualified for military service.
DPH is also focused on promoting healthy lifestyles through nutrition education and partnerships with state and local organizations to improve opportunities for all people in South Carolina to consume nutritious, affordable food and to be physically active in safe and accessible places.
DPH co-leads a multi-sector collaborative effort, Healthy Palmetto, to bring together over 40 state-level organizations that work on healthy eating and active living. Over the past two years, six priority strategies for healthy eating and active living were advanced. (2023 Annual Report) The collaborative is currently developing the Healthy Palmetto Action Plan for 2025-2029.
Additionally, DPH:
*Continues to provide the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program.
*Provides health-related data and best practice support to early care and education and school systems to create environments that promote a culture of health.
*Partners with other organizations to address healthy eating and active living through implementation of Community Health Improvement Plans and nutrition and physical activity action plans.
*Works with partners to include healthy eating and active living best practices into the built environment to encourage active transportation and safe places to be physically active.
*Partners with the South Carolina Department of Social Services to offer Tiny Taste See How We Grow, a preschool nutrition education curriculum for children 3-4 years of age.
*Promotes walkability in communities across the state. In 2023, DPH partnered with Wholespire, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to host the state’s first ever Walkability Action Institute.
“Although DPH has made nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention a priority, South Carolina has more work to do,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DPH interim director. “DPH will continue our efforts to help South Carolinians live healthier lives, and we encourage residents to practice healthy habits that will improve their overall health and well-being.”
DPH recommends the following tips to help South Carolinians maintain a healthy weight:
* Rethink your drink - Before picking up that can of soda, think about choosing something your body needs, like water, or low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk.
* Right size your portions - Bigger is not always better. Remember to check the nutrition facts label for details on serving sizes and number of calories.
* Move more every day - Even small amounts of daily physical activity can help you stay healthy. Walking is a great way to exercise!
* Eat more healthy meals at home – Eating at home rather than eating out will not only reduce the amount of fat, salt and calories you eat, it also saves money.
* Eat more fruits and vegetables - Whether fresh, frozen, canned or dried, fruits and vegetables are quick, delicious, and convenient. They will keep you healthy all year round.
For more information on DPH’s nutrition, physical activity, & obesity prevention efforts, visit the DPH website. To learn more about Trust for America’s Health’s (TFAH) State of Obesity Report, visit the TFAH website.
