Recorded presentation

Deborah A Taira, ScD, Krista Gronley, MPH, MBA, and Richard S. Chung, MD. Hawaii Medical Services Association (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawaii), 818 Keeamoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96814, 808-948-6979, krista_gronley@hmsa.com

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify disparities in the prevalence of obesity associated with age, gender, education level, in an insured population in Hawaii and to examine the association between obesity, health status, and health-related behaviors. Obesity, a complex, multi-faceted condition involving environmental, genetic, behavioral and psychological components, has been increasing in every state in the United States. According to self-reported height and weight information, in 1999, 19.7 percent of U.S. adults were obese (body mass index (BMI) ³30), compared to 11.6 percent in 1990. Although obesity rates were somewhat lower in Hawaii, a similar trend was observed, with prevalence climbing from 9.1 percent in 1990 to 15.7 percent in 1999. The study population was comprised of 44,528 members enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO (n=6,746)), a Fee-For-Service Organization (FFS (n=31,532)) or a Medicare cost contract (n=6,250) of a single health insurer, who responded to a 2002 member satisfaction survey. Of the 54,669 members who responded to the survey, 10,141 were excluded because they did not supply height and weight information. The survey was administered between May and July of 2002 and had an overall response rate of 45.3 percent. The survey asked members to self-report height, weight, ethnicity, education, health-related behaviors, and health status. Additional survey items asked about fruit and vegetable consumption and exercise. For analysis, these items were dichotomized according to whether the member ate at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and whether he or she exercised for at least 30 minutes five times per week. Health status was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form 12 (SF-12). Physical and mental health status summary scores were calculated from the SF-12 items. Conclusions: In this study, obesity rates were highest for members aged 35 to 64, for females, for those with an average education level (e.g. some college), for HMO members, and for members of multiple ethnicities. The finding that members of multiple ethnicities are more likely to be obese may be associated with the level of acculturation (which was not measured in this study) and its subsequent impact on diet and lifestyle. Because the causes of obesity are multi-faceted, the approach to addressing obesity needs to be collaborative.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe association between obesity, health status and health related behaviors.
• Discuss disparity in prevalence of obesity in relation to age, gender and educational level.
• Apply findings from this study in the development of obesity prevention program(s).

Keywords: Obesity, Health Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation