Running Head: CHRONIC HEALTH
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CHE 110: 3-2 Journal Personal Community Health Review
Southern New Hampshire University
CHRONIC HEALTH
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• The chronic health issue that exists in the Morris County community is adult obesity. The
health burden of obesity is high in the region since approximately 21.7 % of adults over the age of 20
are considered to be obese, and around 20.3 % lead a sedentary lifestyle (Sandifer et al., 2020, p. 19).
Obesity is related to other health complexities such as high blood pressure and heart complications
among the community population members. In recent years the prevalence of obesity in the
community has been rising steadily. For instance, from the year 2011 to 2018, the age-adjusted
prevalence of obese New Jersey adults has surged from 23.8 % to 26.2 % (New Jersey State Health
Assessment Data New Jersey's Public Health Data Resource. NJSHAD - Community Health
Highlights Report Indicator, 2021).
• In order to manage the obesity public health issue that is prevalent in the community setting,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy can be applied. A key strategy that has been identified by
NCCDPHP is eating healthy. The intake of proper nutrition is considered to be of cardinal
importance to stay healthy and reduce the risks relating to obesity, heart disk and other chronic
diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Adults need to follow a healthy and
balanced diet plan by consuming a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, lean meat and whole grains.
Additionally, they also need to limit the consumption of saturated fat, added sugars and sodium. By
following a proper diet plan, the risk relating to obesity and related medical complications can be
effectively managed.
• In Morris County, one in five adults is obese. The prevalence of obesity among adult males
in the region is 24.1 %. One of the key factors relating to the chronic disease is the high rate of fast
food restaurants which stands at .79 restaurants / 1000 population (New Jersey State Health
CHRONIC HEALTH
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Assessment Data New Jersey's Public Health Data Resource. NJSHAD - Community Health
Highlights Report Indicator, 2021). Thus, the high accessibility to unhealthy food increases obesity
risk.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 19). Top 4 tips to prevent chronic
diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 15, 2022, from
https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/prevent/top-four-tips.htm
Sandifer, P., Knapp, L., Lichtveld, M., Manley, R., Abramson, D., Caffey, R., ... & Singer, B.
(2020). Framework for a community health observing system for the Gulf of Mexico region:
preparing for future disasters. Frontiers in public health, 8, 578463.
New Jersey State Health Assessment Data New Jersey's Public Health Data Resource. NJSHAD -
Community Health Highlights Report Indicator. (2021). Retrieved September 15, 2022, from
https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-
shad/community/highlight/profile/Obese.county/GeoCnty/14.html
