The Trust for America's Health: Annual obesity report released

July 3, 3:11 AMLas Vegas Fitness ExaminerGina Traficant

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The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Foundation released its annual report on the nation’s obesity rates July 1st.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Approximately 66% of Americans are obese or overweight. Less than thirty years ago that percentage was 15%.
• Mississippi leads the nation in both adult and childhood obesity percentages.
• Colorado had the lowest percentage of obese adults.
• Minnesota and Utah tied with the lowest percentage of obese children.
• Obesity rates increased in 23 states yet no state had a decrease from last year.
• Childhood obesity rates tripled in the last 30 years.
• Nevada is ranked 32nd for obese adults and 11th for obese and overweight children.

Stated in their press release, "Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines," said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of The Trust for America’s Health. "The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States.”

Some of the report’s recommendations to combat the U.S. obesity issue:

• Recommend all adults and children have access to nutritional and obesity counseling.
• Develop programs to make healthy foods affordable and accessible to all Americans.
• Develop programs to provide safe and healthy places for individuals to engage in exercise programs or activities.
• Encourage wellness programs in work locations.

Also included in their press release, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., Robert Wood Foundation president and CEO states, "If we can prevent the current generation of young people from developing the serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and sustainable."