By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
In Currituck County, death rates from heart disease, stroke and
diabetes are below state averages, but the rate of childhood obesity
is higher, an indicator that future health trends could worsen.
Another survey, shows Currituck ranking poorly in health
behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking and lack of exercise.
In the rural county dotted with farm markets, 40 percent of
children ages 5 to 11 are overweight, compared to 25 percent
statewide, according to statistics from the North Carolina State
Center for Health Statistics. Among children ages 2 to 4 in
Currituck, nearly 20 percent are overweight. Statewide, about 16
percent are overweight.
Children are eating too many foods full of sugar and fats and not
enough fruits and vegetables, a sign of future health problems, said
Georgia Kight, interim director of the Currituck County Cooperative
Extension Center who works with Healthy Carolinians of the
Albemarle.
"That is a major signal," Kight said.
Body mass index is measured using height and weight. A BMI of 25
or more is considered overweight.
In Camden County, weights are comparable to state averages for
all children, according to the state statistics.
In Dare County, younger children follow state rates but in ages 5
to 11, only 16 percent are overweight.
In Pasquotank County, only 10 percent of children ages 2 to 4 are
overweight. In the age 5-to-11 group, Pasquotank matches the state
average.
Statistics were gathered from local clinics and programs for
underprivileged children and not from the general population, said
Jill Jordan, spokeswoman for Albemarle Regional Health Services.
From 2004 to 2008, Currituck had a heart disease death rate of
182.2 per 100,000 people, compared to the state rate of 200.2. The
stroke death rate was 38.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 54.4
statewide. Diabetes death rates were 12.5 per 100,000 in Currituck
and 25.2 statewide.
Camden and Pasquotank had rates similar to those of the state
averages. In Dare County, rates in all three diseases were lower
than state averages.
"Where you live matters to your health," Jordan said. "If you
live near a larger grocery store or farmer's market, the option of
fresh fruit and vegetables is increased as opposed to being in a
rural community and living near a convenience store."
Healthy Carolinians of the Albemarle reported to Currituck County
commissioners last week on its activities in 2009 and presented a
health report based on surveys compiled by agencies including the
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which
oversees the health statistics center. The group, made up of
volunteers and local health and nutrition professionals, requested
$1,400 from Currituck County.
Healthy Carolinians of the Albemarle, covering Currituck, Camden,
Pasquotank and Perquimans, holds seminars, fairs and screenings,
among other things, Kight said.
"We try to teach lifelong healthy habits," she said.
The group plans to emphasize better health behaviors in
Currituck, Jordan said. Currituck ranks 88th among the state's 100
counties in poor health behaviors such as binge drinking and
smoking, according to a study done by the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute.
Meanwhile, the county ranks third in the state in good
socioeconomic conditions such as employment, income, education and
crime rates. Health rankings for every county in the nation were
released earlier this year. Researchers used the latest local
statistics ranging from 2000 to 2008.
Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
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