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By the Numbers: Obesity

Wisconsin has an adult obesity rate similar to other states, according to new data reported in the 15th annual State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America report released last week by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“Obesity is a complex and often intractable problem and America’s obesity epidemic continues to have serious health and cost consequences for individuals, their families and our nation,” said John Auerbach, president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health. “The good news is that there is growing evidence that certain prevention programs can reverse these trends. But we won’t see meaningful declines in state and national obesity rates until they are implemented throughout the nation and receive sustained support.”

0

The number of states that had a statistically significant improvement in obesity rates in the past year.

6

The number of states that saw their adult obesity rates increase significantly between 2016 and 2017 — Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and South Carolina.

7

The number of states with adult obesity rates at or above 35 percent, including for the first time in Iowa and Oklahoma, and at least the second time in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

14.8

The percentage of obese high school students in 2017.

18.5

The percent of youths ages 2 to 19 who were obese in the 2015-16 study, the highest rate ever documented by the survey.

21

Wisconsin’s ranking for adult obesity among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

22.6

Colorado’s percentage of obese adults, which is the lowest rate in the U.S.

31

The number of states that had statistically significant increases in their obesity rate in the past five years.

32

Percentage of adults living in Wisconsin who are obese. That’s up from 19.4 percent in 2000 and 11.8 percent in 1990. By age it’s 22.5 percent for 18-25; 31.5 percent for 26-44; 38.1 percent for 45-64; and 29.1 percent for 65-plus. By gender, 32.4 percent of the state’s men are obese and 31.6 percent of women are.

33

The percentage of young adults ineligible for military service due to being overweight.

38.1

West Virginia’s percentage of obese adults, giving it the highest rate in the country.

37.9

The adult obesity rate for whites nationally.

46.8

The adult obesity rate for blacks nationally.

47

The adult obesity rate for Latinos nationally.

$66 billion

The estimated annual cost in lowered economic productivity due to obesity.

$149 billion

The annual health care cost related to obesity.

Source:  State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America

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