Couch potatoes costly in isles

A state report reveals poor nutrition and exercise add $140 million to health bills

STORY SUMMARY »

If all Hawaii adults were physically active, about $140 million could have been slashed from hospital costs in 2005 related to heart disease, stroke and diabetes, according to the 2008 state Health Department's Hawaii Physical Activity and Nutrition Surveillance Report.

Other highlights:

» Only 29 percent of middle school students and 30 percent of high school students had the recommended daily physical activity and female students were less physically active than males.

» An average 49 percent of adults from 2003 to 2005 did not meet physical activity recommendations.

» Female adults weren't as physically active as males; Filipino and Japanese adults were less active than native Hawaiian and Caucasian adults; and adults who never went to high school or who had only some high school education were less physically active than those who finished high school or had some college or a college degree.

» About 77 percent of middle school students and 81 percent of high school students ate fewer than the recommended five fruits and vegetables per day in 2005.

» An average of 68 percent of adults ate less than five fruits and vegetables per day from 2003-2005, and females ate less than males.

» Adults who had no regular physical activity were more likely to have high cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension.

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FULL STORY »

Chronic diseases, early deaths and millions of dollars in hospital costs could be avoided if Hawaii residents were more active physically and ate healthier foods.

This is the message -- emphasized with facts and figures -- in a comprehensive Hawaii Physical Activity and Nutrition Surveillance Report released yesterday by state Health Director Chiyome Fukino and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

If all isle adults were physically active, about $140 million could have been slashed from hospital costs in 2005 related to heart disease, stroke and diabetes, the report said.

Because some adults were physically active, however, an estimated $380 million was prevented in hospital charges in 2005 associated with those diseases, it said.

Aiona said the report, compiled by the Health Department and its Healthy Hawaii Initiative, "confirms pretty much what we know" -- that more Hawaii youths and adults need to get active and eat healthier.

Fukino said about 49 percent of Hawaii adults didn't meet daily physical activity guidelines in 2005 and almost 75 percent didn't eat the recommended five or more fruits and vegetables each day.

She said the state's adult obesity rate more than doubled, from 9.1 percent to 20.6 percent, from 1990 to 2006. Hawaii has the fourth-lowest obesity rate in the nation, she said, but parts of the population "are very far from the goals."

For example, adult obesity rates in the Nanakuli-Waianae area in 2006 were 40.4 percent -- double the state average of just more than 20 percent, according to the Health Department.

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The prevalence of diabetes in that area also was 16.4 percent, compared with the state average of about 8 percent, the department said.

"We feel the battle has only just begun," Fukino said, noting results of improved physical activity and diets won't show up for five to 10 years.

Epidemiologist Robert Hirokawa said only 19 percent of high school youths and 32 percent of adults ate the recommended level of fruits and vegetables in 2005

Maui had the highest percentage of adults -- 34.6 percent -- eating the recommended five daily portion of fruits and vegetables.

The report breaks data down by counties, which allows the Health Department to identify where health disparities are, Hirokawa said, adding that the information can be used for evaluation and resource allocation.

Fukino said the Health Department advocates "much more physical activity for children in schools." She said educators have many other demands for school time, but neglecting the physical health of children "will doom them to problems later in life."

Aiona said the responsibility for improved physical activity and nutrition among children should include parents, guardians and communities, as well as schools. Changes can be simple, he said, such as walking a dog or flying a kite, serving healthier lunches and starting work-site wellness programs.

Environmental changes also are being made with more emphasis on walkable communities, the officials said.

Four workshops looking at "community design" for physical activities are scheduled Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the Leeward Coast, said Lola Irvin, Health Department Tobacco Settlement Fund Project manager.

The "Active Living Community Workshops" will be facilitated by Mark Fenton, an authority in walkable, bicycle-friendly communities, policies, designs and public health impact. Call 586-4495 for more information.

The department also is promoting healthier lifestyles with a walking campaign -- "Step it Up, Hawaii."

Referring to the Healthy Hawaii Initiative programs, Irvin said, "We've seen ourselves change from inside out as well." Some people have lost 40 to 50 pounds by being active and eating healthy, she said.

The full 2008 report is available online at www.healthyhawaii.com.