The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Foundation released its annual report on the nation’s obesity rates. Here are some of the 2010 highlights:
• Approximately 66% of Americans are obese or overweight. Less than thirty years ago the percentage of obese individuals was 15%.
• Mississippi continues to lead the nation in adult obesity percentages.
• Colorado continues to have the lowest percentage of obese adults.
• Minnesota and Utah tied with the lowest percentage of obese children.
• Obesity rates increased in 28 states and only declined in the District of Columbia. Obesity rates increased in 23 states in 2009.
• Childhood obesity rates tripled in the last 30 years.
• Nevada is ranked 31st for obese adults, moving 1 space from 32nd.
2009 Annual Obesity Report Highlights
Stated in their press release, "Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges the country has ever faced, and troubling disparities exist based on race, ethnicity, region and income," said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, Executive Director of TFAH. "This report shows that the country has taken bold steps to address the obesity crisis in recent years, but the nation's response has yet to fully match the magnitude of the problem. Millions of Americans still face barriers - like the high cost of healthy foods and lack of access to safe places to be physically active - that make healthy choices challenging."
Some of the 2010 report’s recommendations to combat U.S. obesity:
• Support obesity- and disease-prevention programs through the new health reform law's Prevention and Public Health Fund
• Align federal policies and legislation with the goals of the forthcoming National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy.
• Expand the commitment to community-based prevention programs initiated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
• Continue to invest in research and evaluation on nutrition, physical activity, obesity and obesity-related health outcomes and associated interventions.
How does your state rank?
Also included in their press release, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., Robert Wood Foundation president and CEO states, "To reverse this national epidemic, we have to make every community a healthy community. Americans are increasingly ready and willing to make that investment."
View Full Annual Obesity Report - 2010
Comments