Americans saw their waistlines increase last year due in large part to the fact that people are exercising less, according to a report by the United Health Foundation. The concerning data is a reversal from 2012 data that suggested Americans we’re starting to fight back against obesity.
The nationwide results show that Americans are becoming fatter, but as a state, Minnesota fared pretty well in the report. Minnesota is ranked as the #6 healthiest state in the country. The states that edged Minnesota out of the Top 5 are Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Utah.
On the flip side, the least healthy states are primarily located in the south. The least healthy state is Mississippi, followed closely by Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
Nationally, the obesity rate rose from 27.6 percent to 29.4 percent in 2013. Additionally, nearly 25 percent of people reported doing no physical activity or exercise in the past 30 days. That’s up about one percent from last year. More findings from the report include:
- Obesity rates have doubled over the last 25 years.
- Nearly 10 percent of adults have diabetes.
- Diabetes rates have doubled over the last 20 years.
- Optimistically, smoking rates have dropped 3%, adolescent immunization is up 5 percent, and infant mortality rates are down 4 percent from 2013.
“What people are not focusing enough on is that we are producing an extraordinary number of people who are unnecessarily sick,” says Reed Tuckson, a senior medical adviser to United Health Foundation. “They are pouring into medical system; it’s a total crisis.”
Anthony Wall, director of professional education for the group, said people need to be more conscious about what they put into their body.
“Obesity is a condition people suffer from, so one of the areas we’re trying to spend a lot more time on is trying to understand the behaviors and why people make certain choices” when it comes to food, says Wall. “They need tools to make a change themselves.”
Dr. Silverman comments
I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Tuckson. Change isn’t going to happen overnight and it’s not going to be easy, but people need make conscious decisions to be healthier. When you’re at the grocery store, pass on the potato chips and pick up a few more leafy greens.
Sure, it’s easy to grab a Big Mac on your way home from a long day at work, but eating healthy isn’t easy. Same goes for your exercise regimen. You might have to wake up early or DVR your favorite TV show in order to get your workout in, but it will be worth it.
Hopefully we heed the recommendations in this report and can improve on our numbers in 2015.
Related source: USA Today
