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CDC: One-quarter of Virginians obese
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National Library of Medicine
Virginia may be for food lovers.
Data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 8 indicate that between 25 and 30 percent of Commonwealth residents met the medical criteria for obesity during 2008. Individuals with a body mass index of greater than 30--which is about 170 pounds for a 5' 4" woman with a medium build--are considered obese.
In 2007, the rate of obesity for adult Virginians was in the range of 20 to 24 percent. The last time that fewer than 20 percent of Virginians were obese was during 1994.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, obesity in the Commonwealth has increased by 67 percent over the past decade, and the percentage of people who weigh more than is healthy stands at 62 percent.
“Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes," said Dr. William Dietz, who is the director of CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “For example, we now see young adults who suffer from heart disease risk factors and other conditions such as type 2 diabetes that were unheard of in the past.”
Virginia health officials launched CHAMPION--Commonwealth’s Healthy Approach and Mobilization Plan
for Inactivity, Obesity and Nutrition--in April 2009 to reverse the trend toward obesity, especially among young children. According to the National Center on Educational Statistics, one in five 4 year olds have BMIs greater than 30.
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