Why do we care about Obesity?

Obesity has been linked to increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis-related disability, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers. It is also, for the most part, preventable. While genetics do play a part in obesity, given the fact that the rate of obesity has been steadily increasing over the past decades, lifestyles often play a huge part in the growing obesity epidemic.

Healthy Harford does not promote weight loss through dieting, but rather emphasizes making positive lifestyle choices, by moving more and focusing on food with the highest nutrients (often referred to nutritionally dense food) to help find your ideal weight.

Our goal is to help make healthy eating easier. Contrary to popular opinion, eating healthy isn’t necessarily more expensive, but it can take more time when you are first getting started. The resources and tips here are designed to help.

Is obesity really a problem here in Harford County?

While weight is just one factor in measuring health, the obesity epidemic, and related health implications and costs, is a serious health issue in our community.

According to the most recent Community Health Rankings, 32% of Harford County adults are obese, meaning they have a BMI of 30 or above. While BMI isn’t the greatest measurement for individual health, it does provide some indication of the health of the community. For our Black population, the percentage of obese residents is closer to 44%, which can negatively affect health equity.

When looking at the total overweight and obese population, the total rises to 70%, translating to more than 2 out of every 3 Harford County adults categorized as either overweight or obese.  In addition, 1 out of every 4 of our children are also overweight or obese. (Maryland Department of Health, Population Health) 

Why does having such a large overweight and obese population matter to our community?

  • The top three causes of mortality in our community are heart disease, cancer, and stroke – all of which are negatively affected by obesity, making obesity a leading factor in preventable deaths.
  • Over 40% of all cancers and other chronic diseases are lifestyle related.
  • Obesity also tends to occur along with other health issues. Of adults considered obese, 52% had high blood pressure, 44% had high cholesterol, and 21% had diabetes. Achieving an optimal weight can aid in the control of these conditions.
  • Even modest weight loss can have a big impact on health – a 5% weight loss in an obese person can reduce their mortality risk by 12%.

Local Services to Help Improve the Health of our Community?

Free Community Exercise Classes
No registration required.

Walk with a Doc
Get to know your local doctors, learn something new, and get in a few steps in the process. Walk with a Doc is a national program that brings physicians and medical specialists out into the community to talk about leading a healthy lifestyle in a casual and movement focused way.

  • 1st Sunday, Schucks Park, 301 Shucks Road, Bel Air
  • 2nd Saturday, Schucks Park, 301 Shucks Road, Bel Air
  • 4th Saturday, Magnolia Elementary School, 901 Trimble Road, Joppa

Urban Line Dancing
Get grooving with our friends from Disco Sistas and Bruthas! Fun way to get in your exercise while having a great time. Ages 16 and up. Edgewood EpiCenter, 1918 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD. 7pm to 8pm, Monday evenings.

Zumba Familiar
Latin inspired dance class that gets your heart pumping and your feet moving. This class is open to the entire family, and children are welcome. Class is taught in Spanish, but easy for all to follow along.

Free Health Classes
UM Upper Chesapeake Healthlink offers free classes to help residents get and stay healthy. There are free classes on Healthy Living, Diabetes Prevention Classes, Diabetes self management, Living Well with Chronic Disease, Living Well with Chronic Pain, and fall prevention classes. Call 1.800.515.0044 for more information.

Building a healthier Harford County
Implementing the community planning ideas outlined in the Healthy Communities Section of Harford NEXT issued by the Department of Planning and Zoning.

  • Creating a more walkable/bikeable community
  • Increasing public spaces
  • Linking communities through off-road paths to retail, libraries, work, and other areas.

School Wellness
Working with the Harford County Public Schools to:

  • Integrating more movement into the school day
  • Increasing the amount of local produce served through Farm to School programs
  • Improving nutrition education through the Days of Taste Program

Community Gardens
Expanding the number of community, school, and faith-based gardens

Faith-Based Wellness
Assisting Faith-Based organizations with creating and implementing Health and Wellness Ministries for healthier congregations.

Mental Health
Depression is a significant contributor to obesity. The Klein Family Center has a 24/7 mental health HOTLINE (1.800.NEXTSTEP or 1-800-639-8783 ) for anyone in need of information, assistance, or referrals to mental wellness services. The center, located at 802 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD, is open for walk-in services from 9:00am to 9:00pm 7 days a week. Services are available regardless of insurance, income, or residency. Depression is the number one reason people seek help at the Center.

Senior Health
There are a number of programs available through the Harford County Office on Aging and local Senior Centers. Diabetes is not an inevitable part of aging. Have your A1C and glucose tolerance tests as recommended by your doctor.