Overweight Kids, Lean Adults: ‘The Colorado Paradox’

Shepard Nevel, who recently assumed the role of LiveWell Colorado’s Chief Executive Director, is engaging the private and business sectors in his leadership role of promoting healthy eating and active living and reducing obesity in the state. He says in addition to being a public health issue, obesity is also becoming an issue related to job creation and economic growth.

In an interview with Policy and Outreach Consultant Catherine Strode, he discusses the state’s rising rate of obesity in children and the 10-year goal of reducing it by 10 per cent. He also notes the contradiction of Colorado holding the position as the leanest state in the country.

Can you clarify the statistical reports on obesity rates in Colorado for adults and children?

“Colorado has regained its place as the leanest state in the country. But there are two very important qualifiers to that accomplishment. First, because the obesity rate is increasing at such an epidemic rate across the country, what is now considered the leanest state in the country would have been the highest obesity rate in 1995. In 1995, Mississippi had the highest obesity rate in the country at 19.4 per cent. Colorado is now above 21 per cent for the adult obesity rate. It is of little consolation that we’re the lowest state when all the states have gotten so much worse. While our adult obesity rate compares favorably to other states, our childhood obesity rate is rising as one of the highest obesity rates in the country. For a state that is known for its culture of fitness and wellness, we are only one of four states in the country that does not have a statewide physical education requirement or any certification requirements for our physical education teachers.

We have also had one of the highest rates of increase in childhood poverty in Colorado. Folks refer to that, as that relates to health and education, the ‘Colorado paradox.’ We are importing healthy and well-educated adults but we aren’t doing as well by our own children. This has enormous implications for the future well-being of the state related to health and economic development.”

What are the goals under your leadership at LiveWell Colorado?

“We recognize very specific goals related to our schools, our communities, our early childhood facilities. And we know that the solution lies also in our built environment. We think the focus on individual responsibility is very important but I think one of the significant changes in LiveWell’s focus has been to continue to focus on individual responsibility but focus on the environment that people live in. I think the fact of the matter is for many Coloradans, they may have the desire but not the access to physical activity in a safe environment. Kids may not have safe routes to school and families may not have access to fresh foods in their neighborhood. It’s a two prong strategy of promoting individual responsibility for physicial fitness and wellness but also to tackle some of the obstacles in the environment.”

What new strategies are you bringing to the fight against obesity in Colorado?

“We’re reaching out, in new and exciting ways, to the private sector and small businesses. What I’m finding is it is not a challenge to persuade business, community, civic and political leaders that this is an issue of enormous importance. This is a critical strategy for continued growth and job creation for the state of Colorado as well as a compelling public health issue. In 2009, Colorado spent over 1.6 billion dollars treating diseases and conditions related to obesity. Many business leaders understand and appreciate that this is as much an issue for economics as it is for health and wellness. the obesity epidemic has a negative impact on everything from absenteeism rates, and sick days in the office, to military readiness.”

Where do you get your passion for this work?

“For me it’s quite personal. My wife and I are the proud parents of a beautiful 19 year old daughter with autism and developmental delays and we are very sensitive to the concerns related to access to physical activity and good nutrition. The obesity rate for the population of individuals with disabilities is considerably higher than for the general population. As a father of three children, the data that suggests this may be the first generation that has a shorter life span than the generation that preceded them is something that should be deeply concerning for all of us. It’s not the legacy we want to leave for our children and for other peoples’ children. And secondly, I think it’s an issue of social justice. Along with education, I think it is the civil rights issue of our era. The notion that someone, because of their zip code, or ethnicity, or income, would have less access to healthy eating and active living is something that is of considerable concern as well. The ability to play a small part in helping to knit together and build on the many good things that are already being done is very exciting for me.”