Report: One In Three Hoosiers Suffer From Obesity

Indiana's obesity rate ranks below the national rate of 30.9 percent.

(Washington, D.C.) – Obesity is a big problem in the Hoosier state.

According to new national data from Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), approximately one in three residents or 34.1 percent of Indiana have obesity, which it slightly worse than the national obesity rate of 30.9 percent.

The 16th annual State of Obesity: Better Policies for Healthier America report says obesity rates vary considerably between states with Mississippi and West Virginia having the highest level of adult obesity in the nation at 39.5 percent and Colorado having the lowest rate at 23 percent.

Kentucky is in the bottom five at 36.6 percent, while Ohio ranked 17th at 34 percent.

Obesity has serious health consequences including increased risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and many types of cancers.

If that’s not enough, obesity is estimated to increase national healthcare spending by $149 million annually. About half of that is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid.

“These latest data shout that our national obesity crisis is getting worse,” said John Auerbach, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health. “They tell us that almost 50 years into the upward curve of obesity rates we haven’t yet found the right mix of programs to stop the epidemic. Isolated programs and calls for life-style changes aren’t enough. Instead, our report highlights the fundamental changes that are needed in the social and economic conditions that make it challenging for people to eat healthy foods and get sufficient exercise.”

TFAH’s report includes 31 recommendations for policy action by federal, state and local governments to improve access to nutritious food and provide safe opportunities for physical activity, while minimizing harmful marketing and advertising tactics.

Among the policy recommendations are sugary drink taxes, expanded SNAP and WIC nutrition support programs and building an environment that encourages physical activity.

Read the full report at www.tfah.org.