The Epidemic

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. Montana is not immune to this trend. In fact, the CDC reports that:

  • 59.3% of Montana adults are overweight or obese. (CDC BRFSS, 2006)
  • 23.4% of Montana high school students are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. (CDC YRBSS, 2007)
Overweight and obesity substantially raise the risk of illness from high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other chronic diseases. As a result of these increased risks, this generation of children may be the first generation to have a life expectancy shorter, rather than longer, than that of their parents.

The NAPA Program

In 2004, Montana became one of 28 states to receive a CDC grant to establish a Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases (NAPA). In a unique partnership, the Montana Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is contracting with Montana State University (MSU) to staff and house the program at MSU’s Department of Health and Human Development.

The mission of MT NAPA is to decrease the prevalence of obesity and improve the health of Montanans through policy and environmental changes and statewide/community interventions. Specific goals include:

  • Increased physical activity
  • Increased fruit and vegetable consumption
  • Promotion of caloric balance
  • Increased breastfeeding of Montana infants

Our Plan

In June, 2006, after a collaborative and inclusive process of garnering input from stakeholders, MT NAPA released the 2006 - 2010 Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity State Plan to Prevent Obesity and Other Chronic Diseases. The State Plan has been presented to policy makers in communities and agencies across Montana. ¬We continue to seek partners from education; transportation; planning; business; Extension Services; agriculture; parks and recreation; health care; tribal organizations; civic organizations; and advocacy groups to be part of implementing the State Plan.

Join the Partnership

Fighting obesity in our state will only be possible through collaboration and partnership. In order to make physical activity and healthy eating more a part of the everyday lives of Montanans, our own institutions – schools, day care centers, health facilities, worksites and tribal and community agencies – will need to find ways to promote these activities among the people whose lives they touch.

MT NAPA is actively seeking partners and stakeholders to help execute the project’s goals and objectives. If you or your organization is interested in becoming involved, please contact us. MT NAPA looks forward to working with you and/or your organization as we move toward a healthier Montana.