Individual Factors
Special features of the Individual factors that can influence risk of obesity include age and race. While obesity is a significant problem among the entire adult population, some groups are disproportionately affected. Among U.S. adults, Black and Latino populations have substantially higher rates of obesity than do White populations. This is true among both men and women. In Berrien county, those between the ages of 25 and 64 are more likely to be obese than younger or older populations. Mapping this data at the population level can pinpoint locations with greater obesity risk based on key Individual factors.
Berrien County_Percent of Population 5-17 Years Old
Berrien County_Percent of Population 65-74 Years Old
Berrien County_Race Density Dot Map
Family-Social Factors
Health is determined, in part, by access to social and economic opportunities. The conditions in which people live, Family-Social factors, help explain why some Americans are unhealthier than others. Features in Family-Social factors include educational attainment, living in poverty, access to a vehicle, living in single-parent households, and living in areas with high crime. These features are associated with disparate burdens and poor health outcomes, including higher rates of illness and early death. Mapping Family-Social factor data can identify populations with a higher risk of having poor health and developing chronic health conditions.
Berrien County_2014 Crime Index
Berrien County_Percent of Population 25 Years Old and Over with a Bachelor Degree or Higher
Berrien County_Percent of Population 25 Years Old and Over with No High School Diploma
Berrien County_Percent of Households with No Vehicle
Berrien County_Percent of Households with Income Below Poverty Level
Berrien County_Percent of Households that have Received SNAP Benefits in the Past 12 Months
Berrien County_Number of Female Heads of Household in Households with Children
Living-Working Factors
Community, workplace, and school structures play a key role in influencing obesity. Where people live, work, learn, and play, strongly influences social norms surrounding food, physical activity, and lifestyle. Working in occupations with high obesity-prevalence, attending schools within economically disadvantaged areas, and living in densely populated neighborhoods are factors associated with an increased risk of obesity.
Berrien County_Locations of Businesses with Obesity-Prevalent Occupations
Berrien County_k-12 School District Areas and Building Enrollment
Berrien County_Percent of k-12 Students Eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch, by School Building
Berrien County_Total Number of Households
Berrien County_Population Density Dot Map
Community Resource Factors
Lack of access to key community resources can contribute to poor health behaviors associated with obesity and other obesity-related illness, such as diabetes and heart disease. Many places of worship engage with the health of their communities and offer support to those dealing with health-related challenges. Lack of access to places to purchase healthy food contributes to a poor diet low in fruits and vegetables and is associated with higher obesity rates and illness. Those who live far away from medical services are less likely to receive necessary treatment and preventative care. Lack of access to places for recreation, such as parks and community fitness opportunities, is associated with lower levels of physical activity and higher obesity rates, particularly among adolescents. Lack of access to public or non-motorized transportation limits access to a wide variety of resources. Identifying locations with low access can help focus environmental interventions aimed at filling gaps in infrastructure or service.
Berrien County_Locations of Places of Worship
Berrien County_Locations of Places to Purchase Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (seasonal)
Berrien County_Locations of Grocery Stores That Sell Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Berrien County_Locations of Medical Services
Berrien County_Existing Non-Motorized Travel Routes
Berrien County_k-12 School Buildings Open for Community Fitness, Outside of School Hours
Berrien County_Locations of Park and Recreational Areas
Berrien County_Public Transportation Service Areas and Fixed Routes
Policy-Program Factors
Policies are laws, ordinances, or regulations, either formal or informal, which influence the risk of obesity. These factors play a major role in determining the choices individuals make regarding health behaviors. The goal of changing Policy factors is to create long-lasting change and improvement in the health of the entire community. The Be Healthy Berrien 2015-2020 Strategic Plan specifically addresses policies related to non-motorized transportation and K-12 environments.
The connections between health and transportation are wide-ranging. Because the transportation system helps shape how communities are designed and operate, it can have a profound influence — both positive and negative — on public health . Where transportation infrastructure is designed to accommodate or even encourage non-motorized transportation, such as through complete streets policies, it can have a positive effect on public health. By making walking and biking safe and convenient, we can make it much easier for people to build routine physical activity into their daily lives.
Health behaviors of adolescents who attend K-12 educational institutions are strongly influenced by the policies, practices, and environments of the school in which they are enrolled. Schools that have indicated an interest in enhancing nutrition programs or implementing Safe Routes to Schools ® programs are more likely to have policies and practices that support healthy behaviors, like eating fruits and vegetables and participating in physical activity.
Berrien County_Municipalities That Have Prioritized Walkability in Master Planning
Berrien County_Transportation Study Non-Motorized Travel Route Recommendations
Berrien County_Transportation Study Detailed Non-Motorized Travel Route Recommendations
Berrien County_k-12 Schools That Have Requested Michigan Team Nutrition Materials
Berrien County_k-12 Schools That Have Registered with the Safe Routes to Schools Program