Obesity Rates in USA Continue To Rise

US Obesity Rates

The U.S. obesity rate continues to rise and is increasing at afaster clip than it has in the past, according to a study released onMonday by the Trust for America's Health, the Philadelphia Inquirerreports. The report found that at least one person in five is obese in47 states nationwide; by comparison, in 1991, one person in five wasobese in four of the 50 states (Sullivan, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/28).

According to AP/Long Island Newsday,obesity rates in 31 states increased, and no state showed a decline.For the report, TAH compared data from 2003 through 2005 with data from2004 through 2006 that were taken from a telephone survey of height andweight.

The results are considered to be conservative because they are taken from personal reports, according to AP/Newsday (Freking, AP/Long Island Newsday,8/27). "When self-reporting, people tend to overestimate their heightand underestimate their weight," Lisa Hark, director of the Nutrition Education Programat the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said, adding thatobesity in the U.S. is "probably worse" than the report states (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/28).

Additional Findings

According to the report, Mississippi has the highest obesity rate inthe nation and is the first state whose rate exceeds 30% (Maugh, Los Angeles Times, 8/28). Colorado had the lowest rate at 17.6% (AP/Long Island Newsday, 8/27). According to the Inquirer,more than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese. A bodymass index of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30and above is obese (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/28).

Thereport linked obesity to poverty, with eight of the lowest-incomestates appearing among the top 15 heaviest states (LoBianco, Washington Times, 8/28).

Thereport also looked at obesity in children ages 10 to 17 years old.Washington, D.C., had the highest rate of childhood obesity at 22.8%,and Utah had the lowest at 8.5% (AP/Long Island Newsday, 8/27). According to the Inquirer, rates of children at risk for being overweight or obese have tripled in 20 years (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/28).

LeahDevlin, health director of North Carolina -- which ranks fifth inchildhood obesity nationwide -- said that there are healthcomplications associated with being overweight and obese and that thereare quality of life issues as well, including "depression, socialstigma and ostracizing of obese people in our society." She said, "Thisis particularly true for children, who suffer from bullying and teasingin school, depression, low self-esteem -- these all impact that child'sability to succeed in school and in life" (Zagaroli, McClatchy/Raleigh News & Observer, 8/28).

Jim Marks, senior vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-- which sponsored the report -- said that the current generation ofchildren "could be the first generation to live sicker and die youngerthan their parents."

Comments

Marks said thatobesity accounts for about $117 billion in preventable health carespending annually and is going to push the U.S. health care system toits "breaking point" (Los Angeles Times, 8/28). TAHspokesperson Laura Segal said that the group thinks the governmentshould take action to help curb the soaring obesity rate by creatingmore parks, sidewalks and safe playgrounds and making lunches at publicschools more nutritious. In addition, businesses should contribute withwellness programs, she said.

TAH Executive Director JeffreyLevi said, "It's one of those issues where everyone believes this is anepidemic, but it's not getting the level of political and policymakerattention that it ought to." He added, "As every candidate forpresident talks about health care reform and controlling health carecosts, if we don't hone in on this issue, none of their proposals aregoing to be affordable" (Washington Times, 8/28).

Markssaid that the states with the highest rates are "where the urgency isthe greatest." He continued, "They need not to wait for others to lead.They need to become leaders. It's the only way that they can restorethe health of their children and their families. It's the only way thatthey can improve their economic competitiveness" (AP/Long Island Newsday, 8/27).

Mississippistate Rep. Steve Holland (D), chair of the Public Health Committee,said, "We've got a long way to go. We love fried chicken and friedanything and all the grease and fatback we can get in Mississippi." Headded, "If we don't change our ways, we're going to be in the funeralparlors ... because we're going to be all fat and dead" (WagsterPettus, AP/Miami Herald, 8/28).

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