Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a
single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity
Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese or overweight children is
at or above 30 percent in 30 states.
"Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines," said Jeff
Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "The obesity epidemic is a big
contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States.
How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy
and workforce are weighed down by bad health?"
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent,
making it the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four
states now have rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West
Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2
percent). Eight of the 10 states with the highest percentage of obese
adults are in the South. Colorado continued to have the lowest
percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent.
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20
percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults
are either obese or overweight. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate
above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15
percent. Sixteen states experienced an increase for the second year in a
row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year.
Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children
(ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate
at 23.1 percent. Eight of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese
and overweight children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have
more than tripled since 1980.
"Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a critical ingredient for
delivering a healthier population and making health reform work," said
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. "If we can
prevent the current generation of young people from developing the
serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not
only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions
of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and
sustainable."
The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a
review of federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or
preventing obesity. Some additional key findings from F as in Fat 2009
include:
-- The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic.
Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to
rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the
same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly
overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured
continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates
of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many
individuals, also are increasing.
-- Nineteen states now have nutritional standards for school lunches,
breakfasts and snacks that are stricter than current USDA requirements.
Five years ago, only four states had legislation requiring stricter
standards.
-- Twenty-seven states have nutritional standards for competitive foods
sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores or in school bake
sales. Five years ago, only six states had nutritional standards for
competitive foods.
-- Twenty states have passed requirements for body mass index (BMI)
screenings of children and adolescents or have passed legislation
requiring other forms of weight-related assessments in schools. Five
years ago, only four states had passed screening requirements.
-- A recent analysis commissioned by TFAH found that the Baby Boomer
generation has a higher rate of obesity compared with previous
generations. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, obesity-related costs
to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly because of the
large number of people in this population and its high rate of obesity.
And, as Baby Boomers become Medicare-eligible, the percentage of obese
adults age 65 and older could increase significantly. Estimates of the
increase in percentage of obese adults range from 5.2 percent in New
York to 16.3 percent in Alabama.
Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform
include:
-- Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive
medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and
screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;
-- Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools,
and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable
and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage
in physical activity; and
-- Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that
improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to
64.
The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that
would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local
governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities,
schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that
-- Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
-- Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all
communities;
-- Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity
at school;
-- Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and
play;
-- Limit screen time; and
-- Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.
Source: Trust for America's Health
Reviewed / Posted by: Scott W. Yates, MD, MBA, MS, FACP
single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity
Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese or overweight children is
at or above 30 percent in 30 states.
"Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines," said Jeff
Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. "The obesity epidemic is a big
contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States.
How are we going to compete with the rest of the world if our economy
and workforce are weighed down by bad health?"
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent,
making it the fifth year in a row that the state topped the list. Four
states now have rates above 30 percent, including Mississippi, West
Virginia (31.2 percent), Alabama (31.1 percent) and Tennessee (30.2
percent). Eight of the 10 states with the highest percentage of obese
adults are in the South. Colorado continued to have the lowest
percentage of obese adults at 18.9 percent.
Adult obesity rates now exceed 25 percent in 31 states and exceed 20
percent in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Two-thirds of American adults
are either obese or overweight. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate
above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15
percent. Sixteen states experienced an increase for the second year in a
row, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year.
Mississippi also had the highest rate of obese and overweight children
(ages 10 to 17) at 44.4 percent. Minnesota and Utah had the lowest rate
at 23.1 percent. Eight of the 10 states with the highest rates of obese
and overweight children are in the South. Childhood obesity rates have
more than tripled since 1980.
"Reversing the childhood obesity epidemic is a critical ingredient for
delivering a healthier population and making health reform work," said
Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., RWJF president and CEO. "If we can
prevent the current generation of young people from developing the
serious and costly chronic conditions related to obesity, we can not
only improve health and quality of life, but we can also save billions
of dollars and make our health care systems more efficient and
sustainable."
The F as in Fat report contains rankings of state obesity rates and a
review of federal and state government policies aimed at reducing or
preventing obesity. Some additional key findings from F as in Fat 2009
include:
-- The current economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic.
Food prices, particularly for more nutritious foods, are expected to
rise, making it more difficult for families to eat healthy foods. At the
same time, safety-net programs and services are becoming increasingly
overextended as the numbers of unemployed, uninsured and underinsured
continue to grow. In addition, due to the strain of the recession, rates
of depression, anxiety and stress, which are linked to obesity for many
individuals, also are increasing.
-- Nineteen states now have nutritional standards for school lunches,
breakfasts and snacks that are stricter than current USDA requirements.
Five years ago, only four states had legislation requiring stricter
standards.
-- Twenty-seven states have nutritional standards for competitive foods
sold a la carte, in vending machines, in school stores or in school bake
sales. Five years ago, only six states had nutritional standards for
competitive foods.
-- Twenty states have passed requirements for body mass index (BMI)
screenings of children and adolescents or have passed legislation
requiring other forms of weight-related assessments in schools. Five
years ago, only four states had passed screening requirements.
-- A recent analysis commissioned by TFAH found that the Baby Boomer
generation has a higher rate of obesity compared with previous
generations. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, obesity-related costs
to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly because of the
large number of people in this population and its high rate of obesity.
And, as Baby Boomers become Medicare-eligible, the percentage of obese
adults age 65 and older could increase significantly. Estimates of the
increase in percentage of obese adults range from 5.2 percent in New
York to 16.3 percent in Alabama.
Key report recommendations for addressing obesity within health reform
include:
-- Ensuring every adult and child has access to coverage for preventive
medical services, including nutrition and obesity counseling and
screening for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes;
-- Increasing the number of programs available in communities, schools,
and childcare settings that help make nutritious foods more affordable
and accessible and provide safe and healthy places for people to engage
in physical activity; and
-- Reducing Medicare expenditures by promoting proven programs that
improve nutrition and increase physical activity among adults ages 55 to
64.
The report also calls for a National Strategy to Combat Obesity that
would define roles and responsibilities for federal, state and local
governments and promote collaboration among businesses, communities,
schools and families. It would seek to advance policies that
-- Provide healthy foods and beverages to students at schools;
-- Increase the availability of affordable healthy foods in all
communities;
-- Increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity
at school;
-- Improve access to safe and healthy places to live, work, learn, and
play;
-- Limit screen time; and
-- Encourage employers to provide workplace wellness programs.
Source: Trust for America's Health
Reviewed / Posted by: Scott W. Yates, MD, MBA, MS, FACP
