More States Reach Historic Highs of Obesity

In a recent article, TIME reveals the painful truth about obesity in America.  According to the annual report from Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, obesity rates are increasing in six states and decreasing in exactly zero states.

The study shows that the six states whose obesity rates increased in the last year include: Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee and Wyoming.  However, two states have excelled beyond the rest.  Mississippi and West Virginia are tired for the most obese state, with rates at 35.1%.

We are proud to report that Colorado is the least obese state with a rate of 21.3%.  However, this number is still high compared to the 15% obesity rate just 30 years ago.

How and why do obesity rates increase?  This can be attributed to both worsening eating habits and lack of exercise.  Thanks to an influx of fast-food restaurants, low accessibility of affordable healthy foods as well as our sedentary lifestyles, the obesity epidemic continues to grow.
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Ginny Ehrlich, the director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s childhood obesity team, says: “If we don’t reverse these trends, the nation will stay on course toward disastrous health and cost outcomes.”
To read more, visit TIME.