The center of the country is suffering the most.
The obesity epidemic just keeps on growing. A new map put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed that in 2018, adult obesity was at or above 35% in nine states in the U.S. These include Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
In Canada, our neighbors to the north, 27% of adults are obese, for comparison.
Colorado reported the lowest rate of adult obesity with 20%. In general, the western part of the U.S reported being less obese than both the center and the eastern portion.
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As a reminder, being obese increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, and it also increases your chance of having a stroke. It can be a contributing factor when it comes to poorer mental health.
As for work, it can reduce your productivity, research has shown, and according to the CDC, the condition costs the U.S healthcare system over $147 billion each year.
How can you take action? Simple changes such as walking a prescribed route each day, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can reap results. Social media is full of weight loss success stories, and change is possible.
For ideas on getting started, click here.
