Nutrition and Health
Summary
Currently, Massachusetts has one of the highest rates of chronic illness nationwide, costing our state an estimated $34 billion per year for treatment and lost productivity. Medical costs of obesity in Massachusetts are about 1.8 billion annually. Foodborne illness also costs the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year in hospitalization, long-term disability and death. Chronic disease, obesity and foodborne illness are all largely preventable, especially when healthy lifestyle habits are formed early in life.
UMass Extension addresses nutrition and health though a strategic foundation of innovative research, culturally relevant teaching and effective partnerships. Through collaborations with UMass academic departments, statewide agencies and coalitions, and local organizations, our staff help culturally diverse families and children across the state adopt healthy lifestyles that are consistent with their preferences, cultures and budgets. Hands-on learning builds practical skills in food selection, food preparation, safe-food handling and money-saving meals, and also promotes locally-grown Massachusetts produce.
Situation & Priorities
Healthy lifestyle behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, handling food safely, and being physically active can lead to a longer and more productive life. These behaviors can also prevent the harmful effects of obesity and many chronic diseases. Forming healthy behaviors during childhood is especially important to future health. And for immigrants, offering traditional foods like the fruits and vegetables of their homelands can also help them retain healthy food habits.
Rates of overweight and obesity continue to increase for both adults and children in the U.S. Although the causes are complex and not fully understood, effective strategies that help people increase physical activity and choose healthy foods, both at home and away from home, can help. Strangely enough, hunger is another contemporary issue often associated with obesity. Low-income populations frequently turn to calorie-dense but low-nutrient foods when their food resources are limited. These tend to be inexpensive but satisfying. Families need guidance to get the most nutrition from their limited resources in order for their children to grow and thrive successfully.
Overweight, obesity and lack of physical activity also increase risks of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and some types of cancers. Collectively these chronic diseases account for nearly two out of every three deaths in the US and cost many billions of dollars in health care costs, lost productivity, and premature death. But in spite of these costs, these diseases are also among the most preventable through lifestyle changes. To help people make these changes, however, we need to better understand the diverse people with whom we work and the roots of their lifestyle choices. Only then can we effectively provide the education and skills needed to help them choose, prepare, and consume healthful foods in healthful amounts.
Food borne illness continues to plague Americans, costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year in lost productivity, hospitalization, long-term disability and death. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated that food borne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths each year. Federal agencies have instituted food safety education and regulatory programs from farm to table. These guidelines are for food producers; food processors; food handlers in retail establishments; food service workers in restaurants, nursing homes, schools and child care settings; and families at home. Despite these efforts, however, the incidence of food borne illness remains a problem. Therefore education is needed to improve food safety knowledge and practices of people involved in all sectors of the food system.
UMass Extension will be addressing the following priorities in Nutrition and Health over the next five years:
- Overweight and Obesity
- Chronic Disease
- Health Disparities among Massachusetts Residents
- Food Safety
The following Projects addressed Nutrition and Health in 2009. Click on "plan" or "report" for additional details.
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Public Issues 
