U.S. Obesity Rate Rose Last Year
Mississippi Has the Heaviest Population, While Colorado Remains the Leanest State
Associated Press
August 29, 2006 5:33 p.m.
WASHINGTON -- The gravy train -- make that the sausage, biscuits and gravy train -- just kept on rolling in most of America last year, with 31 states showing an increase in obesity.
Mississippi continued to lead the way. An estimated 29.5% of adults there are considered obese. That's an increase of 1.1 percentage points when compared with last year's report, which is compiled by Trust for America's Health, an advocacy group that promotes increased funding for public health programs.
Meanwhile, Colorado remains the leanest state. About 16.9% of its adults are considered obese. That mark was also up slightly from last year's report, but not enough to be considered statistically significant.
The only state that experienced a decrease in the percentage of obese adults last year was Nevada.
"Obesity now exceeds 25% in 13 states, which should sound some serious alarm bells," said Jeff Levi, executive director of the advocacy group. "Quick fixes and limited government programs have failed to stem the tide," he said.
Health officials warn that the incidence of obesity in a particular state doesn't mean it treats the issue less seriously than others. States have different challenges to contend with when it comes to obesity, said Janet Collins of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
STATES ON THE SCALE
Heaviest States Percent of obese adults / Leanest States Percent of obese adults
Missississpi 29.5% Colorado 16.9%
Alabama 28.7 Hawaii 18.2
West Virginia 28.6 Massachusetts 18.6
Louisiana 27.4 Vermont 19.5
Kentucky 26.7 Rhode Island 19.5
"Populations are not equal in terms of experiencing these health problems," Dr. Collins said. "Low-income populations tend to experience all the health problems we worry about at greater rates."
Indeed, the five states with the highest obesity rates -- Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana and Kentucky -- exhibit much higher rates of poverty than the national norm.
Meanwhile, the five states with the lowest obesity have less poverty. They are Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The leanest states shouldn't take a whole lot of comfort in their ranking, though, said Jeffrey Koplan, a former CDC director. "This epidemic is a nationwide epidemic. Some states are higher, some populations have it higher, but the trend has been up in every state, the trend has been up for every ethnic group, the trend has been up for rich and poor," Dr. Koplan said.
The group's estimate of obesity rates is based on a three-year average, 2003-2005. The data comes from an annual random sampling of adults via the telephone. The information is designed to help the government measure behavioral risks among adults.
The government equates obesity with a body mass index, or BMI, of at least 30. Someone who is 5-feet-4 would have to weigh 175 pounds to reach that threshold.
The index is calculated by dividing a person's weight in pounds by his height in inches, squared, and multiplying that total by 703. For some people, particularly athletes who exercise a great deal, the BMI index could show them as being obese when in fact they are in excellent physical condition.
Trust for America's Health made scores of recommendations for reducing obesity. For example:
• Employers should offer their workers benefits that help them stay healthy, such as nutrition counseling and subsidized health club memberships.
• The government should mandate routine screenings that measure the fitness of Medicaid beneficiaries, plus subsidize or reimburse them for participating in exercise and fitness programs.
• At the local level, governments should approve zoning and land use laws that give people more chances to walk or bike to the store or to work. Local governments also should set aside more funding for sidewalks.
The group also makes recommendations for individuals. But the recommendations that people eat well and exercise are known to Americans. And clearly, many just don't care to follow.
Dr. Collins said tobacco use is another area that could be labeled a personal choice, but government agencies have taken many steps to provide people with the environment and information they need to help them make their choices. The same should be done with obesity.
Dr. Levi said that a lot of the things that the government tells people to do about their weight aren't realistic, which makes obesity a societal problem, not just a personal problem.
"If we're urging people to walk more, and their streets are not safe, that's an unrealistic expectation," Dr. Levi said. "If we're urging people to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and they don't have access to a supermarket or the cost is beyond their capacity, then we're not asking them to take responsibility for something they have control over."
The report says those health costs are in the billions of dollars annually. Citing a 2004 report, the advocacy group said $5.6 billion could be saved when it comes to treating heart disease if just one-tenth of Americans began a regular walking program.
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