New Report Suggests Obesity Rates Continue to Rise, Reach Historic Highs

Rates of adult obesity increased in 6 US states and decreased in none in 2013, and in 20 states—more than ever recorded—at least 30% of adults are obese, according to an analysis conducted by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report was based on federal government data.

By comparison, from 2011 to 2012 the rate of obesity increased in only 1 state.

The findings suggest the obesity epidemic may be worsening despite widespread publicity about the increasing problem.

The 2013 adult obesity rate exceeds 20% in every state, while 42 states have rates above 25%. For the first time, 2 states—Mississippi and West Virginia—rose above 35%. By comparison, in 2012, 13 states were above 30% and 41 states had rates of at least 25%.

Adult obesity rates increased last year in Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Wyoming.

Nationally, rates of obesity remained at about one-third of the adult population, according to The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. In addition, just more than two-thirds of individuals are overweight or obese.

Rates of childhood obesity have leveled off, with about 1 in 3 children 2 to 19 years of age who were overweight or obese in 2012, which is comparable to rates over the past decade.

Continuing a years-long trend, 9 of the 10 states with the highest rates of obesity are in the South. The West and Northeast had the healthiest body mass indexes (BMI), with Colorado boasting the lowest adult obesity rate at 21.3%.

Specific demographics are associated with higher risk for obesity. For instance, >75% of black individuals are overweight or obese compared with 67.2% of white individuals. Also, one-third of adults who earn <$15,000 per year are obese compared with one-quarter of individuals who earn at least $50,000 annually.

Similarly, in 2012, just more than 8% of black children 2 to 19 years of age were severely obese, with a BMI >40 kg/m² compared with 3.9% of white children. Approximately 38% of black children also live below the poverty line, while 12% of white children do.

Click here for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's obesity map.—Kerri Fitzgerald

Source: Thomson Reuters. 2014; Obesity rates reach historic highs in more U.S. states.