The South Tips The Scales

The Center for Disease Control has released its findings from a 2013 self reported obesity study and the map show a grim health situation across the United States. No state in the nation reported less than a 20% obesity rate and 18 states, including Tennessee, reported a 30 to 35% obesity rate. 7 states reported a rate of 20 to 25% and 23 reported 25 to 30 % of their population is over weight. Mississippi and West Virginia topped the chart, showing more than 35% of their population as being obese.

The South led the number of overweight residents, with around 30% reporting to be beyond a healthy weight, and was followed closely by the Mid West. The North East and North West showed only slightly better numbers.

In Tennessee and across a large portion of the United States, non Hispanic, Black Adults had the highest rate of self reported obesity. That number was followed in the Volunteer State by non Hispanic, White adults, with Hispanic adults having around a 10% lower reporting of obesity, though nationally, Hispanics had a larger number of self reporting obesity than non Hispanic White responders. The CDC has identified obesity as a major public health problem.

Source: K. Depew, News Director