Running head: EFNEP BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW

Reducing Obesity Rates in Low-Income Families in San Bernardino County through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) Background and Overview

Brittany Garcia HSCI 471 Winter 2014

Running head: EFNEP BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW Background and Overview In the United States, data shows that 35.7% of adults are obese (CDC, 2013). This is a serious concern because obesity is prevalent worldwide; it leads to other

serious health conditions; and is costly. Examples of conditions that are associated with obesity include heart disease, stroke, type II diabetes, and some forms of cancer (CDC, 2013). One of the largest determinants of obesity it socioeconomic status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that African American and Mexican American men who had higher incomes were more likely to be obese than those with low income. Additionally, women with higher income are less likely to be obese than low-income women (CDC, 2013). Locally, San Bernardino County reflects the seriousness of this national trend through data that states that 33.2% of adults were classified as obese in 2011-2012 (Healthy San Bernardino County, 2012). In 2010, San Bernardino County also ranked 44 out of 58 in overall health, with 58 having the worst health (County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, 2013). On a national scale, San Bernardino County is the fourth most obese region in the United States (SBCDPH, 2013). The county also has the third highest heart disease rate in California; the worst access to healthy food in the state; and 71% of school-aged children do not meet the minimum fitness standards (SBCDPH, 2013). The obesity epidemic has been such a concern that a large number of studies were conducted to identify programs that would be effective to change and prevent obesity. For example, one study evaluated the Food Stamp Program (FSP) and its impact on children from low-income families. The findings were that participation in the