Obesity and being overweight are serious problems, particularly among young kids. Fitness and diet are ways to partially address the challenge.
The Boulder Daily Camera (Around the County – Local section, March 8, 2012) reported that Boulder was the thinnest city in the country. The poll by Gallup-Healthways reported that Boulder had an obesity rate of 12.1%. The city with the highest rate of obesity was McAllen, Texas – they rolled in at 38.8%. West Virginia led all states with a rate of 34%.
The article stated that this study polled 350,000 Americans in metropolitan areas during 2011. Participants were asked to give their height and weight, which was then used to estimate a body mass index. BMI’s greater than 30 were considered obese. The national average was 26.1%. Colorado was the least obese state with a 20% obesity rate.
If you recall, on February 19th, the Boulder Daily Camera reported that a survey of city employees showed that 57% of the City of Boulder workforce was overweight. The report went on to say that 19% of men and 16% of women were obese.
About a year ago, USA Today reported that the Society of Actuaries had determined that the economic cost of people being overweight and obese to the U.S. and Canada was about $300 billion in 2009. Costs were about $72 billion for overweight and $198 billion for obesity. According to SOA, a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is overweight, with anything 30 or higher being obese.
The article stated, “The $300 billion total cost in the United States and Canada is the result of: increased need for medical care ($127 billion); loss of worker productivity due to higher rates of death ($49 billion); loss of productivity due to disability of active workers ($43 billion); and loss of productivity due to total disability ($72 billion)”.
The point of mentioning the above articles is to encourage increased awareness about obesity AND being overweight in hopes that the level of both can be reduced. Focusing strictly on obesity does not fully address the challenges in this area.