A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health shows that obesity rates in the United States are climbing, with the majority of the blame falling on the shoulders of the Baby Boomers.
Although obesity rates have shot up in Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, Tennessee and Wyoming, the rest of the union remains relatively stable.
Baby Boomers beat out every other category, reaching 35% obesity in 17 states and 30% in 41 states. Weight gain in the younger generation has been constant for the last decade. One out of three children and teens is obese, and obesity occasionally arrives early. Just over one in ten children become obese from the ages of 2 and 5.
Minorities pattern themselves after Baby Boomers. Adult blacks placed at 40% in 11 states and Latinos at 35% in 5 states. These racial disparities in weight gain begin to appear between the ages of 2 and 19, although from 2005 to 2011, preschoolers from low-income families in 18 states saw obesity rates decline.
Mississippi and West Virginia top the country as the most obese states, while Colorado ranks as the fittest state.
Geographical divisions place the South as the fattest region. Out of the 10 heaviest states, 9 of those are located in the South. Poverty comes out as a slight indicator of obesity, as well. For adults over 18 who make less than $15,000 a year, obesity rates are 33 percent, compared to 25.4% who earn $50,000 and more annually.
What the results suggest is that Michelle Obama has a long way to go in her campaign for public health. The report itself recommends addressing cultural differences, in order to increase the relevance of physical activity and promote sound nutrition.
This report, by Jonah Bennett, was cross-posted by arrangement with the Daily Caller News Foundation.
