September 22, 2023 – In 22 states across the country, multiple in three adults suffers from obesity, in response to latest data released Thursday by the CDC. That's up from 19 states in 2021 and none a decade ago.
Obesity occurs when an individual's weight exceeds what is taken into account healthy for his or her height.
Nationally, no state has an obesity rate below 20%, meaning that in every state, a minimum of one in five people is obese.
The agency called for greater emphasis on improving people's access to health care, healthy and reasonably priced food and protected places for physical activity.
The latest figures “send a clear message that additional support for obesity prevention and treatment is an urgent priority,” said Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, director of the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, in a opinion“Obesity is a disease caused by many factors, including eating habits, physical activity, sleep habits, genetics and certain medications. This means there is no one-size-fits-all approach.”
The 22 states where 35% or more of adults were obese in 2022 are: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
A review of obesity data for racial or ethnic groups on the state level found that folks with dark skin are more affected by the disease of obesity. When CDC analysts examined racial or ethnic groups individually by state, they found:
- 14 states where a minimum of 35% of white adults are obese.
- 32 states where a minimum of 35% of Hispanic adults are obese.
- 33 states where a minimum of 35% of American Indian or Alaska Native adults are obese.
- 38 states where a minimum of 35% of black adults are obese.
Washington, DC, was the one a part of the U.S. where lower than 25% of adults were obese. The highest obesity rates were in Louisiana (40%), Oklahoma (40%), and West Virginia (41%).
In the CDC's annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey, which surveys greater than 400,000 people annually, participants reported being obese.
Obesity increases the chance of many other serious diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, mental health problems and severe effects of COVID-19.
The CDC offers the next tricks to combat obesity:
- Eat healthy by selecting the National dietary guidelinese.g. by eating mostly vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products and protein foods while limiting sugar, saturated fats, sodium and alcohol.
- Achieve the extent of physical activity advisable by National guidelines for physical activityfor instance, a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, preferably spread over a minimum of three days for many adults.
- Participate in community efforts to enhance opportunities for healthier eating and physical activity.
- If you weigh greater than advisable, drop pounds to scale back the chance of chronic diseases.
- Get enough sleep.
- Manage stress.
- Talk to your doctor about ways to stop and treat obesity.