Addressing Obesity Epidemic, California Dental Hygienists Promote Healthy Eating and Active Lifestyle

GLENDALE, Calif., Jan.16 With obesity on the rise in California, the California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) announced today it is initiating its own program to help promote healthier lifestyles during Healthy Weight Week 2006. Healthy Weight Week, celebrated this year Jan. 15-21, focuses on encouraging people to improve their health and well being in lasting ways.

CDHA aids Californians in reducing their risk for obesity by providing information on choosing nutrient-dense foods, achieving adequate exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. This information is available through CDHA's Healthy Eating and Physical Activity For A Lifetime Website ( http://www.cdha.org/public_health/eating.htm ). "The dental hygienist is a resource for nutrition information, competent to provide dietary guidance, and can recognize when nutritional needs require a referral to the patient's physician or registered dietitian," said Lin Sarfaraz, RDH, CDHA's President. "The dental office provides a powerful and convenient setting for interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity and its health consequences.

Recommendations by a dental hygienist can be influential in a patient's dietary choices and physical activity habits." According to the California Department of Health Services (CDHS), obesity among adults has increased at an epidemic rate over the last 20 years. Even more alarming is the trend in children, with the percentage of overweight children and adolescents more than doubling since the early 1970's. The public health impact of overweight, obesity and physical inactivity is substantial, in terms of disease burden and cost.

In California, the direct and indirect cost of adult medical expenses attributed to obesity is estimated to be $21.7 billion a year. It is estimated that a five percent improvement in the rates of physical activity and healthy weight over five years could save more than $6 billion, while ten percent improvement could save nearly $13 billion.

CDHA is committed to helping Californians achieve and maintain a healthy weight through the resources provided on the association's "Healthy Eating and Physical Activity For A Lifetime web site ( http://www.cdha.org ), which promotes an increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as rates of physical activity. The site provides information on the need to reduce consumption of high calorie, low nutrient foods, and decrease physical inactivity.

CDHA, celebrating its 20th year as the official voice of the profession in California, is continuing its advocacy in Sacramento for expanded access to care. For years, CDHA has supported legislation and other public policies intended to provide greater autonomy and the independence necessary for dental hygienists to provide care to those who need it most -- ethnic minorities, children, seniors and low-income populations.

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The California Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) is the authoritative voice of the state's dental hygiene profession. While registered dental hygienists have worked in the state for nearly a century, CDHA was established 20 years ago when two regional associations merged to form a unified professional group. CDHA represents thousands of dental hygienists throughout the state and is dedicated to expanding opportunities for the profession and access to care for all Californians.

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