Adult obesity rates increased in six states over the past year, and did not decrease in any.
An annual report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) revealed adult obesity rates are on the rise in Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee and Wyoming.
The obesity rates now exceed 35 percent for the first time in two states and are above 30 percent in 20 states. Mississippi and West Virginia have the highest adult obesity rates in the U.S. at 35.1 percent.
The report pointed out "geographic, income, racial, and ethnic disparities" in terms of obesity rates. Obesity rates are highest in low-income and less-educated Americans and in racial groups such as Blacks and Latinos.
Currently Adult obesity rates for Blacks are at "at or above 40 percent in 11 states, 35 percent in 29 states and 30 percent in 41 states," according to the report. Rates of adult obesity in Latinos "exceeded 35 percent in five states and 30 percent in 23 states." Among Whites adult obesity rates were over 30 percent in 10 states.
"Obesity in America is at a critical juncture. Obesity rates are unacceptably high, and the disparities in rates are profoundly troubling," said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of TFAH. "We need to intensify prevention efforts starting in early childhood, and do a better job of implementing effective policies and programs in all communities - so every American has the greatest opportunity to have a healthy weight and live a healthy life."
In 2005 the obesity rate shot up in every state except for one, so a rise in six states is an improvement to that statistic. Today nine out of 10 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South. Over 33 percent of adults 18 years and older who earn less than $15,000 per year are obese; only 25.4 percent of those who earn $50,000 per year are obese.
