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Whatcom
County
A Classic Community Nutrition
Assessment Experience
Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Results
| Weight | | Cardiovascular
Disease | | Fruits and Vegetables | | Hunger
| | Food Safety |
Whatcom County conducted a Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFSS)
among adults in 1996. Data that pertain to nutrition and nutrition related
topics were compiled.
Weight
This survey asks for self reported weights and heights. Based on this data
22% of adults in Whatcom County were determined to be overweight (BMI >
27.8 for men and 27.3 for women). In Whatcom County 27 of the men were
reported to be overweight and 17% of the women were reported to be overweight.
This data can be compared to the Healthy People 2000 goal of decreasing
the prevalence of overweight to less than 20% of the population.
Over half (55%) of respondents said that they were trying to lose weight,
and 22% of overweight respondents reported that a doctor or other health
professional had given them advice about losing weight.
Cardiovascular Disease
Whatcom County respondents reported taking action to reduce risk from cardiovascular
disease. Seventy one percent reported eating few high fat or high cholesterol
foods. Fifty eight percent said that they were exercising more.
Fruits and Vegetables
Twenty five percent of the respondent reported consuming a least five fruits
and vegetables a day. There were gender differences in answers to this
question with 31% of women and 18 % of men reporting consumption of least
five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Hunger
Five percent of respondents said they had concerns in the past 30 days
about having enough food for themselves or their families.
Food Safety
Eighty-one percent of respondents said they washed their hands with soap
and water after handling meat.
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