
An alarming new report suggests that obesity is a huge problem affect 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children, but there is one good sign.
A new report just released on Thursday has a staggering bit of information. A full third of American adults, and one in six children, are now obese, an alarming new finding that suggests that America’s obesity epidemic continues to be the No. 1 health threat to the nation.
The report, released by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, found that West Virginia beat all other states with a stunning 37.7 percent obesity rate, following by several Southern states.
But there is one big silver lining to this report. For the first time in 14 years of conducting this annual report, one state’s obesity rate – Kansas – actually dropped. The rate increased in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and West Virginia, and was stable in all other states. Colorado was at the bottom of the list with an obesity rate of 22.3 percent.
“According to the 14th annual State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), adult obesity rates are showing signs of leveling off – but progress could be eroded if programs are cut and policies are weakened,” the statement from the report reads. “This year, adult obesity rates exceeded 35 percent in five states, 30 percent in 25 states, and 25 percent in 46 states. As of 2000, no state had an obesity rate above 25 percent. In the past year, adult obesity rates increased in four states (Colorado, Minnesota, Washington and West Virginia), decreased in one state (Kansas), and remained stable in the rest. This supports trends that have shown steadying levels in recent years. Last year was the first time this annual report recorded any declines in adult obesity rates, with four states experiencing declines, and, overtime, growth has started to slow. In 2006, rates increased in 31 states; in 2010, rates increased in 16 states.”
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