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Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program (NUPAO)

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The Arizona Department of Health Services proudly supports border health efforts in our Arizona counties and cities along the Mexico border. Click the logo to learn more about the '5 Pasos' healthy eating and active living program that aligns with our nutrition and physical activity programs.

The Arizona Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (NUPAO) Program works to reduce the burden of chronic disease and obesity in Arizona through nutrition and physical activity efforts.  The program follows the Arizona Nutrition and Physical Activity State PlanPDF.  The AZ NUPA State Plan is intended as a guideline and a call to action.  The plan presents ideas that can be used by all Arizonans to help make healthier choices and sustainable lifestyle changes.

Vision:
To be recognized as the leader in obesity prevention in Arizona, resulting in optimal health for our citizens.

Mission:
To improve the health and quality of life of Arizona residents by reducing the incidence and severity of chronic disease and obesity through physical activity and nutrition interventions.

Goals:

  1. To promote and enable the citizens of Arizona to eat smart and have access to healthy and nutritious foods.
  2. To promote and enable active lifestyles and communities for Arizona residents.

Latest News & Publications

New! Labels Now Provide Key Nutrition Information for Meat and Poultry ProductsPDF
As of March 1, 2012, raw meat and poultry products most frequently purchased will feature nutrition labels.

Policy Considerations for Improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Making a Case for Decreasing the Burden of ObesityPDF
A white paper from ASU's School of Nutrition & Health Promotion, proposes strategies to assist SNAP in helping reduce obesity among its participants.

The Obesity EpidemicPDF
This December, 2011, report provides historical data and specific information about the obesity problem in Arizona. It was produced by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Nutrition and Physical Activity.

Obesity Epidemic Video Arizona solutions showcased!
This video explains the many factors that have contributed to the obesity epidemic, and showcases several community initiatives, including Arizona, taking place to prevent and reduce obesity. Obesity is a national epidemic and a major contributor to some of the leading causes of death in the U.S., including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer. We need to change our communities into places that strongly support healthy eating and active living.

School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Schools play a critical role in improving the dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents. Schools can create environments supportive of students' efforts to eat healthy and be active by implementing policies and practices that support healthy eating and regular physical activity and by providing opportunities for students to learn about and practice these behaviors.

County Leisure Time Physical Inactivity Estimates
In Arizona, nearly 1 in 4 adults are not active during their free time. The rates of leisure-time physical inactivity are as low as 17.0% in Santa Cruz County to as high as 29.4% in La Paz County, according to new 2008 estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These rates reflect adults who report no physical activity or exercise other than daily functions at their place of employment.

Obesity Increases in ArizonaPDF
According to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010, a report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) more than two-thirds of U.S. states (38) have adult obesity rates above 25 percent, including Arizona. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. Arizona has the 29th highest rate of adult obesity in the nation. The rate of obese adults increased in the state for the third year in a row with one in every four Arizonans now obese (25.8%).  In addition, Arizona has the 15th highest rate of obese youth ages 10 to 17 in the nation. There has been a rapid and significant increase in obese youth in Arizona from 12.2% in 2003 to 17.8% in 2007.

Lets Move – America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids
We need to get moving. Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.

Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a GenerationPDF
A White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity's action plan for solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation.