Adult Obesity Rate Tops 30 Percent in Half of States
Adult Obesity Rate Tops 30 Percent in Half of States
MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Obesity still plagues millions of Americans, as rates remain high in most states, a new report finds.
The South and Midwest have the highest adult obesity rates, making up 23 of the 25 states with rates now topping 30 percent.
In 42 states, blacks have obesity rates of 30 percent or more, as do Hispanics in 30 states. Obesity rates of 30 percent or more among whites are found in 13 states, the findings showed.
"The obesity epidemic is one of the nation's most serious health crises," Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, said during a Monday morning media briefing.
Levi said that stemming the obesity problem is a complex challenge. On the one hand, obesity involves personal responsibility, he said. On the other hand, the scope of the problem makes it clear that it can't be treated as a problem of personal failing, he added.
"Success requires finding ways to make healthy choices easier in our daily lives," Levi said. "Children need the chance to grow up at a healthy weight, and all adults need the opportunity to be as healthy as they can be, no matter what their weight."
On the plus side, obesity rates have remained the same in all but five states, Levi said. Although the obesity rate has not dropped in any state, he sees the leveling off as a hopeful sign.
"We view this as a sign of progress, and the efforts made to help curb the epidemic over the past few years are having an impact and are evidence that if we invest in effective programs, we can make a difference," Levi said.
"But to date, the investments made have been limited and haven't been sufficient to turn the tide," he added.
In 2014, obesity rates increased in Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah, according to the report released Monday from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The highest obesity rate was posted in Arkansas, at 35.9 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate, at 21.3 percent.
Adult Obesity Rate Tops 30% in Half of States
Highest rates found in the South and Midwest: report
The South and Midwest have the highest adult obesity rates, making up 23 of the 25 states with rates now topping 30 percent.
In 42 states, blacks have obesity rates of 30 percent or more, as do Hispanics in 30 states. Obesity rates of 30 percent or more among whites are found in 13 states, the findings showed.
"The obesity epidemic is one of the nation's most serious health crises," Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, said during a Monday morning media briefing.
Levi said that stemming the obesity problem is a complex challenge. On the one hand, obesity involves personal responsibility, he said. On the other hand, the scope of the problem makes it clear that it can't be treated as a problem of personal failing, he added.
"Success requires finding ways to make healthy choices easier in our daily lives," Levi said. "Children need the chance to grow up at a healthy weight, and all adults need the opportunity to be as healthy as they can be, no matter what their weight."
On the plus side, obesity rates have remained the same in all but five states, Levi said. Although the obesity rate has not dropped in any state, he sees the leveling off as a hopeful sign.
"We view this as a sign of progress, and the efforts made to help curb the epidemic over the past few years are having an impact and are evidence that if we invest in effective programs, we can make a difference," Levi said.
"But to date, the investments made have been limited and haven't been sufficient to turn the tide," he added.
In 2014, obesity rates increased in Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah, according to the report released Monday from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The highest obesity rate was posted in Arkansas, at 35.9 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate, at 21.3 percent.
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