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Friday, September 2, 2016

New CDC State Maps Show Many Americans Still Struggle with Obesity


New CDC State Maps Show Many Americans Still Struggle with Obesity
Today, CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity released its 2015 state- and territory-specific maps on adult obesity prevalence using self-reported information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
The 2015 state data maps show that the proportion of adults with obesity in the United States continues to remain high. Estimates across states vary and range from 20.2% in Colorado to 36.2% in Louisiana. The new state data maps are available online at:
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/prevalence-maps.html
State Highlights from the 2015 BRFSS:
  • No state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%.
  • Obesity prevalence in 21 states and Guam was 30% to less than 35%.
  • Four states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia) had an obesity prevalence of 35% or greater.
  • The South had the highest prevalence of obesity (31.2%), followed by the Midwest (30.7%), the Northeast (26.4%), and the West (25.2%).
Some groups of adults have more obesity burden than others.
Findings from the updated 2013-2015 BRFSS maps by race/ethnicity found:
  • Non-Hispanic blacks had the highest self-reported obesity (38.1%), followed by Hispanics (31.9%), and non-Hispanic whites (27.6%). 
  • The number of states/territories where adult obesity was 35% or more among specific populations was 2 for non-Hispanic whites, 11 for Hispanics, and 34 (plus the District of Columbia) for non-Hispanic blacks.
Obesity is a serious societal problem.
Millions of American adults have obesity, putting them at risk for many serious chronic diseases and health conditions. These include:
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Cardiovascular disease 
  • Poorer mental health
  • Certain cancers
There is not one simple solution to address the high levels of obesity in the US. It will take a societal effort. Community leaders, employers, government agencies, and many others can create places that make it easier for adults and families to move more and eat better.


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