U.S. Getting Fatter!

"F" As In Fat - Historical Trend Shows More Fat On Americans

 A new study from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation indicates thirteen states currently have an adult obesity rate above 30 percent, 41 states have rates of at least 25 percent, and every state has a rate above 20 percent.
Although Americans are far fatter than every before, in 2012, obesity rates remained level in every state except for an increase in Arkansas but the United States had experienced three decades of increases: in 1980, obesity rates in no state was above 15 percent; in 1991, no state was above 20 percent; in 2000, no state was above 24 percent; and in 2007, only Mississippi was above 30 percent.

Since 2005, there has been some evidence the rates have not been climbing as rapidly. In 2005, every state but one increased; in 2008, 37 states increased; in 2010, 28 states increased; in 2011, 16 states increased.

Of the states with the 20 highest adult obesity rates, only Pennsylvania is not in the South or Midwest. For the first time in eight years, Mississippi no longer has the highest rate — Louisiana at 34.7 percent is the highest, followed closely by Mississippi at 34.6 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate at 20.5 percent.

Rates vary by age. Obesity rates for Baby Boomers (45- to 64-year-olds) have reached 40 percent in two states (Alabama and Louisiana) and are 30 percent or higher in 41 states. By comparison, obesity rates for seniors (65+-year-olds) exceed 30 percent in only one state (Louisiana). Obesity rates for young adults (18- to 25-year-olds) are below 28 percent in every state.

Obesity rates vary by education. More than 35 percent of adults (ages 26 and above) who did not graduate high school are obese, compared with 21.3 percent of those who graduated from college or technical college.

Obesity rates vary by income. More than 31 percent of adults (ages 18 and above) who earn less than $25,000 per year were obese, compared with 25.4 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 per year.

Nine of the 10 states with the highest rates of type 2 diabetes and hypertension are in the South.

Source: Fasinfat.org