The Obesity Rate is Obese
Posted by
Nikki F.
Americans are larger than ever. Trust for America’s Health, a research group that focuses on disease prevention, has documented the round-belly-growth in their latest report on each state’s obesity rate. According to the report, obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year, and no state showed a decline.
With over 30 percent of its adult population considered obese, Mississippi is home to the largest number obese adults; West Virginia and Alabama rank just slightly behind. Colorado, with its great hiking and beautiful outdoors, is the leanest state in the nation at a 17.6 percent obesity rate.
Though the dire news is further evidence that the nation is in the midst of a public health crisis, “It’s one of those issues,” Jeffrey Levi, Trust for America’s Health’s executive director, says, “where everyone believes this is an epidemic, but it’s not getting the level of political and policymaker attention that it ought to.”
Main factors for the high obesity rates are lack of exercise (last year more than 22 percent of Americans did not engage in any physical activity in the past month, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and poverty (the five poorest states were all in the top 10 when it came to obesity rates).
Officials hope the reported rates will stir states into action to “restore the health of their children and their families,” as Dr. James Marks, senior vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, puts it.
For the sake of Americans who will suffer from diabetes and the heart problems that obesity causes, and the health care costs ensuing the diseases, let’s hope the rates have reached their peak.
The Obesity Rate is Obese
Posted by Nikki F.
Americans are larger than ever. Trust for America’s Health, a research group that focuses on disease prevention, has documented the round-belly-growth in their latest report on each state’s obesity rate. According to the report, obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year, and no state showed a decline.
With over 30 percent of its adult population considered obese, Mississippi is home to the largest number obese adults; West Virginia and Alabama rank just slightly behind. Colorado, with its great hiking and beautiful outdoors, is the leanest state in the nation at a 17.6 percent obesity rate.
Though the dire news is further evidence that the nation is in the midst of a public health crisis, “It’s one of those issues,” Jeffrey Levi, Trust for America’s Health’s executive director, says, “where everyone believes this is an epidemic, but it’s not getting the level of political and policymaker attention that it ought to.”
Main factors for the high obesity rates are lack of exercise (last year more than 22 percent of Americans did not engage in any physical activity in the past month, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and poverty (the five poorest states were all in the top 10 when it came to obesity rates).
Officials hope the reported rates will stir states into action to “restore the health of their children and their families,” as Dr. James Marks, senior vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, puts it.
For the sake of Americans who will suffer from diabetes and the heart problems that obesity causes, and the health care costs ensuing the diseases, let’s hope the rates have reached their peak.