Tobacco use and childhood obesity were identified as significant concerns by northeast Wisconsin residents, according to results of a statewide poll released this week by groups involved in the Transform Wisconsin health initiative.
Groups participating in the initiative include Shawano Pathways, a nonprofit organization formed in 2011 to foster development of trails and green spaces in Shawano County.
The purpose of the Transform Wisconsin poll was to evaluate public support for countywide and regional efforts to promote healthier places to live, work and play.
Results varied by county, but generally 90 percent of the respondents in northeast Wisconsin (Brown, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Shawano and Winnebago counties) identified childhood obesity as a serious problem, and just under 70 percent were concerned about youth tobacco use.
“Often, people see the issue of obesity as one that is too complicated, too difficult or too personal to address,” Shawano Pathways member Matty Mathison said. “This poll finds there is overwhelming support for implementing common-sense solutions to improve health right here in Shawano County and northeast Wisconsin.”
In Shawano County, 90 percent of the respondents agreed childhood obesity is a serious problem, and 71 percent are concerned about youth tobacco use.
Overwhelming majorities of residents surveyed also supported the following solutions to these problems: investing in tobacco prevention and cessation, encouraging schools and state and local governments to buy and serve some locally grown Wisconsin fruits and vegetables – even if it costs more, and ensuring kids have the opportunity to be active in their schools and neighborhoods.
In Shawano County, 93 percent of the survey respondents favored taking steps to ensure children can walk and bike to school, 86 percent favored buying local fruits and vegetables for school and government programs, and 75 percent (lowest among the area counties surveyed) supported funding for tobacco prevention programs.
Nancy Schultz, family living educator for the University of Wisconsin-Extension in Shawano County, said the poll results don’t surprise her at all.
She said the concerns raised in the poll are the same as those raised by local health officials and community members that have banded together to form a Community Health Action Team (CHAT) to address those issues.
Schultz said CHAT was organized by ThedaCare, which brought together area doctors, pastors, county Social Services and Community Programs and business leaders. The team meets once a month.
Among CHAT’s initiatives is a farm-t0-school program that would get local produce into the school system.
The walking and biking that was identified as the top priority in the survey has already been reflected in local efforts, Schultz said.
“That’s a goal we’ve been working on for three years — to get more schools thinking about safe routes to school,” she said.
Among the schools that have joined the program are Olga Brener Intermediate School and Shawano Community Middle School, which promote “Walking, Wheeling Wednesdays.”
Statewide, the poll found overwhelming majorities of respondents support policies to address tobacco and obesity issues.
• 67 percent of respondents favor closing tobacco tax loopholes by requiring that candy and fruit-flavored tobacco products are taxed at the same rate as cigarettes.
• 84 percent favor requiring locally grown fruit and vegetables to be served in schools and government facilities.
• 86 percent of respondents favor requiring 60 minutes of daily physical activity during the school day.
• 92 percent of respondents favor taking steps to ensure kids can safely walk and bike to school.
Shawano County results also included the following:
• 91 percent favor keeping school gyms and athletic facilities open and available for public use during nonschool hours.
• 86 percent favor requiring 60 minutes of daily physical activity for kids during the school day.
• 94 percent agree that ensuring kids have daily physical activity in schools will help improve their academic performance.
In all counties surveyed, a majority of respondents also agreed that schools, community groups and local health departments should be major players in the battle against childhood obesity.
The long-term goal of Transform Wisconsin is to reduce chronic diseases, which account for 75 cents of every dollar spent on health care in Wisconsin, according to the group.
Twenty-five counties around the state were awarded Transform Wisconsin grants and participated in the opinion poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies.
Shawano County has some way to go to improve its overall health ranking in the state.
“We’re 63rd out of 72,” Schultz said. “We hope the only way to go is up.”
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