Obesity is one of the predicaments the United States is facing and up to date, despite various programs implemented by the health sector, the rate of obesity among Americans is still increasing. A new report has collated data and shows which states are the most obese and which are fighting the condition very well.
Obesity in the United States have remained high and steady in most states and started to increase in Kansas, Minesotta, New Mexico, Ohio and Utah. This was a report by the State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America which is a joint project by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
According to the report, Arkansas is the most obese state because they had the highest obesityt rate of 35.9% while Colorado is the least obese state. Actually, this state is the 29th largest but they are the biggest. Its rate increased from 21.9% and 17% in 2000 and 1995 respectively.
Yahoo News reports that around 20% of kids aged 10 to 17 are obese in Arkansas. Among adults aged 45 to 64, 41.7% are obese.
Additional key findings of the study shows that obesity rates for Blacks are above 40% in 11 states, 35% in 29% states and 30% in 41 states. On the other hand, obesity rates among Latinos and Whites are more than 30% in 23 states and 10 states respectively.
Childhood obesity is not far from the rates among adults. In fact, one of three children and teens who are ages 2 to 19 is overweight or obese. They also released recommendations on how to battle this worldwide predicament. Increasing access to affordable healthy foods is one agenda they are promoting. This would help in promoting healthy eating among kids and adults.