Sixteen U.S. states now have obesity rates of at least 35%, more than ever, new maps reveal.
More than a third of adults in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia were dangerously overweight in 2020, according to the data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This is almost double the nine states in 2018 that saw the prevalence of obesity at 35% or higher.
Colorado had the best result with an obesity rate of 24.2%, while Mississippi had the worst rate, with 39.7%.
Racial and ethnic disparities still persist: three times as many states as having at least 35% of overweight Hispanic residents compared to overweight whites and five times as many states as having at least 35% of overweight black residents.
In the annual report, researchers warn that obesity may worsen COVID-19 outcomes, increasing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization and even death.
A new CDC map found that 16 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia adult obesity rates of at least 35% (higher)
The data came from the Behavioral Risk Factor Monitoring System, which is a telephone survey conducted by the CDC and state health departments.
The CDC report revealed that rates of obesity among adults increased as their level of education decreased.
Adults without high school had an obesity rate of 38.8% compared to 34% of adults with high school, 34.1% of adults with college degrees, and 25% of college graduates.
Discrepancies were also evident between the races.
Only seven states had a 35% or higher obesity prevalence among white adults.
In comparison, 22 states had the same prevalence of obesity among Hispanic adults and 35 states had a black population of which at least a third were obese.
Asians were the ethnic group least likely to report high rates of obesity. Of the 35 states with sufficient data, 33 reported rates below 20 percent.
The remaining two, South Carolina and Alaska, recorded rates of 23.7 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively.
Twenty-one states had a Hispanic population with more than a third of obese adults (above), three times the number of white states
Thirty-five states had a black population with more than a third of obese adults (above), five times the number of white states
The researchers also found that middle-aged adults were about twice as likely to be dangerously overweight as young adults.
Those aged 18 to 24 had the lowest rate of obesity, with 19.5%, while the group aged 45 to 54 had the highest rate, with 38.1%.
Inequalities between US regions were also observed.
The Midwest and South ranked as the highest rate of adult obesity in the regions, with 34.1% each.
Meanwhile, the West and Northeast stood at 29.3 and 28%, respectively.
Obesity is known as a risk factor for various chronic health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart attack, and even certain types of cancer.
Only seven states had a prevalence of obesity of 35% or higher among white adults.
Asians were the ethnic group least likely to report high rates of obesity. Of the 35 states with sufficient data, 33 reported rates below 20% (above)
However, obese adults are also at increased risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, including severe cases, hospitalization, and death.
A 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic study found that obese people were twice as likely to be hospitalized compared to the state population.
This means that obese people diagnosed with COVID-19 could put even greater pressure on already overflowing hospitals.
In addition, a recent study from the University of Michigan School of Public Health found that obese adults who become infected with the flu not only have a higher risk of serious complications, but remain contagious longer.
This means that obesity is associated with an increased risk of influenza transmission. With 75% of U.S. adults expected to be overweight or obese by 2030, this could result in the loss of thousands more lives from the flu or coronavirus.
While it’s not clear why obese adults are more contagious, scientists believe it is possible that obesity may alter the body’s immune response and lead to chronic inflammation.
“Changing the current course of obesity will require a sustained and comprehensive effort by all parts of society,” the CDC authors wrote.
‘We need to recognize existing health disparities and inequalities and address the social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of access to health care, if we are to ensure health equity.
“These maps help show where we need to focus efforts to prevent obesity and support people with this disease.”