The new analysis by the Trust for America’s Health, based in Washington, D.C., found that 26 of the 30 fattest states are in the Midwest and South.
“Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs. It is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced,” said Jeffrey Levi, executive director of Trust for America’s Health. “The good news is that we have a growing body of evidence and approaches that we know can help reduce obesity, improve nutrition and increase physical activity based on making healthier choices easier for Americans. The bad news is we’re not investing anywhere near what we need to in order to bend the obesity curve and see the returns in terms of health and savings.”
In 2006, obesity-related medical costs totaled $147 billion annually, or nearly 10 percent of total medical spending, according to a 2011 study. Most of that spending comes from treating obesity-related diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.
State rankings in today’s reports are based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
View the full report at www.healthyamericans.org.
About the Author