Agency Mission and Vision

According to the American Cancer Society (2018), the American modern life has led many American residents to eat large amounts of food, eat more unhealthy foods; and be less physically active. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who are either overweight or obese over the recent past. According to Nicklas & O’Neil (2013), the incidences of obesity in the United States have been increased at an alarming rate over the past three decades. According to studies, the number of obese adults has doubled; the number of children doubled; and the number of adolescents tripled.

Scope of the Problem

As at 2013, the approximately 66 percent of American adults were obese and an estimated 33 percent of children and adults overweight or obese. These statistics are made particularly tragic not by the obesity itself, but by the far-reaching health consequences associated with the condition. According to the American Cancer Society (2018), obesity or excess body weight predisposes people to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. It has also been established to increase a person risk to stroke, arthritis, and certain cancers. This paper comes up with a health agency that will support the obesity awareness and prevention strategies for teenagers aged from 15 years to adults aged 45 years. The health agency of choice chosen for this project is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO).

 CDC: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO)

According to CDC (2015), obesity is a complex health issue to address and, as a result, there is no single established solution to the condition’s epidemic. Since it is a complex issue, it requires a complex issue approach. All concerned stakeholders, including individuals, communities, state and local organizations, policy makers, schools and healthcare professionals, are required to work collaboratively in order to create and uphold an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle.

The health agency that the current project seeks to develop a marketing plan is the CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO). DNPAO is one of the many health agencies across the United States that has been dedicated to public health promotion, particularly with regarding to promoting healthy lifestyles, including healthy nutrition and adequate physical activity. One of its key objectives is to educate and build public awareness about the causes and preventive measures for obesity across all ages.

DNPAO’s Mission and Vision Statements

The DNPAO’s mission has been to “ … Lead strategic public health efforts to prevent and control obesity, chronic disease, and other health conditions though regular physical activity and good nutrition (DNPAO, 2011).” Its vision is to save lives and protect people from health threats, particularly those related to poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and obesity (CDC, 2014). According to CDC (2017), DNPAO focuses on protecting the health of Americans across all ages by encouraging healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. Based on their mission and vision, it is apparent that the agency is focused on preventing and controlling obesity, chronic disease, and other health conditions by spreading awareness about the significance regular physical activity and good nutrition at every stage of the Americans life.

How the Projected Marketing Plan Supports DNPAO’s Agency’s Mission and Vision

YouTube and Facebook as the selected social media tools for the projected marketing plan for obesity awareness and prevention strategies will significantly help DNPAO meet its mission and vision. This is in consideration that the two social media platforms will enable the agency to reach a large number of people within the targeted age group. One factor that makes these platforms effective in DNPAO’s efforts towards its fight against obesity is that they have the majority of following when compared to other social media platforms.

For example, according to Statista.com (2017), YouTube is the leading social media platform with an approximated penetration rate of 73 percent followed by Facebook closely with 72 percent.  The second factor that using these social media platforms will enable DNPAO to achieve its goal is the consideration of target population. The marketing plan on obesity awareness and prevention measures used for this project targets teenagers aged from 15 years to adults aged 45 years, an age set that constitutes the most users of YouTube and Facebook. Such factors serve as an indication that using a combination of YouTube and Facebook will ensure that DNPAO will be able to reach a vast population effectively, as well as within the shortest time possible and, thus support its efforts toward the prevention and eradication of obesity in the United States of America and beyond.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the American modern life has led many American residents to eat large amounts of food, eat more unhealthy foods; and be less physically active. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of Americans who are either overweight or obese over the recent past. As at 2013, the approximately 66 percent of American adults were obese and an estimated 33 percent of children and adults overweight or obese. These statistics are made particularly tragic not by the obesity itself, but by the far-reaching health consequences associated with the condition. This paper has identified DNPAO as one of the health agencies that bears the potential of supporting the obesity awareness and prevention strategies for teenagers aged from 15 years to adults aged 45 years using the marketing plan on obesity awareness and prevention measures that are specifically founded on two social media platforms, namely YouTube and Facebook.