Background

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, being overweight is one of the most critical public health problems in the country and is a risk factor for many costly and debilitating chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and depression.1 The U.S. health care system, however, focuses on treating these diseases rather than on promoting prevention and health improvement.

With 26% of its adults considered obese, and 38% of its children considered overweight, Arkansas is the 7th heaviest state.2

Although there is limited federal attention to our national obesity problem, one state has been pioneering an approach to combat this epidemic. Arkansas (with 26% of its adults and about 38% of its children considered overweight or at risk) has been ranked the 7th heaviest state in the nation.2

Currently, the state spends a significant amount of money on health care, mainly due to the high prevalence of preventable chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and cancer among its population. Teaching children how to better understand the consequences of unhealthy behavior and lifestyle may help prevent the development of costly chronic disease.

Fruit Plate

Pfizer Health Solutions and its partners in the state believe Balance It Out: ArkansasSM is a pilot program that will help create a positive example of constructive health system change that can lead to widespread adoption of structural changes in health care delivery. The U.S. health care system can better maximize people's health by focusing on education, preventing disease, and offering better access to resources. For the children, schools and families can:

  • Set healthy examples
  • Encourage them to take care of themselves at an early age
  • Implement incentives to help them develop healthier eating and exercise habits









1 The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity in 2001, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001; Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General.
2 Congressional Prevention Coalition, U.S. Congress, June 23, 2005; National Center for Health Statistics, 2005; CDC, 2005.

Arkansas Department of Human Services Pfizer Health Solutions

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