Top 10 Most Obese Cities In America
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) that is greater than 30 kg/m2. The Body mass index is usually obtained by dividing a person’s weight by the square of the person’s height. Being obese differs from being overweight, they are two different concepts defined by different parameters.
A person is considered overweight when his or her body mass index falls within the range of 25–30 kg/m2. Obesity has become a major public health challenge in the United States largely due to changes in diet preferences and lifestyle patterns.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 17 percent of children and 36.5% of adults in the United States are obese.
Recently, available data also indicate that Louisiana has the highest rate of adult obesity in the United States at 36.2% while Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 %. Obesity increases the risk of several chronic disease conditions including diabetes type 2, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke.
Obesity places a huge financial burden on personal and national coffers. The medical cost for obese individuals is about $ 1,429 higher than those of individuals with a normal BMI.
As of 2008, the annual cost of obesity in the United States had already reached $147 billion and this is expected to exceed the current $ 210 billion if current trends are not halted.
According to the Journal of American Medicine, Non-Hispanic blacks have the highest rate of obesity in the united states at 48.1% this is closely followed by Hispanics with 42.5%, non-Hispanic whites have a rate of 34.5% while non-Hispanic Asians have the lowest rate of 1.7%.
Available data also show that; obesity rates are generally higher among middle-aged adults aged 40-59 years.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), those with higher incomes are at higher risk of obesity than those with lower incomes among non-Hispanic black and Mexican Americans.
In addition, women with a college degree have been shown to be less likely to be obese as compared to less educated women but in men, no significant relationship was found between obesity and education.
A large percentage of adults in America are physically Inactive (80%). To be considered active, an individual needs to take at least 5000 steps daily.
Available data indicate that Mississippi has the highest rate of physically inactive individuals (36.8%) perhaps this explains why it also has the highest rate of diabetes in the United States. Click to See: The Factors Fueling the Weight Epidemic in America
List of the 10 Top Most Obese Cities in America
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- Lafayette, Louisiana
- McAllen, Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Louisville, Kentucky
Most obese cities in America # 1: Shreveport, Louisiana
Recently, available data also indicate that Louisiana has the highest rate of adult obesity in the United States at 36.2% while Colorado has the lowest at 20.2 %. Obesity increases the risk of several chronic disease conditions including diabetes type 2, cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke. Shreveport has consistently ranked among the most obese cities in America in recent years, the city also has the second-highest percentage of adults with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Most obese cities in America # 2: Jackson, Mississippi
According to a recent state of obesity report, Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi, the second most obese state, and the 22nd least healthy environment in the United States. The city also tops the chart for having the most weight-related health problems and has the second-highest percentage of physically inactive adults.
Most obese cities in America # 3: Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is so famous for its southern-style barbecue ribs that it was ranked as one of America’s best barbecue cities by U.S. News and World Report in 2012. Unfortunately, Memphis has the least health-promoting environment in the US and the third most obese city in America.
Most obese cities in America # 4: Little Rock, Arkansas
According to available data, Little Rock has the highest percentage of adults who eat less than one serving of fruits and vegetables a day. The city also has the fourth-highest percentage of adults who are physically inactive.
Most obese cities in America # 5: Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette residents enjoy eating out and noshing on local treats like boudin and crawfish boil, according to KFLY News. “The food is really great, and it tastes really great but maybe isn’t exactly the healthiest,” these hidden calories have landed Lafayette on number 5 in the most obese cities in the US.
Most obese cities in America # 6: McAllen, Texas
McAllen has the second most weight-related health problems and the seventh least healthy environment in the U.S. the heavy reliance on food stamps by many South Texans, on food stamps might explain this strange anomaly. Click To Read: Obesity in America: The Facts and the Consequences
Most obese cities in America #7: San Antonio: Texas
San Antonio was named the most obese city in America by the CDC about a decade ago. Although progress has been made, the city still has the third least healthy environment in the United States. Fostering a healthy environment is key to reducing obesity rates in any city.
Most obese cities in America # 8: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Once regarded as the fattest city in America, Baton Rouge has the third-highest percentage of adults who eat less than one serving of fruits or vegetables a day. However, its current ranking as the eighth-most overweight city is an improvement from 2015.
America # 9: Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is located in the southern U.S., which Hunnes says is a factor that contributes to its heightened obesity rate. “Dietary quality is typically lower in the South, where many foods are deep-fried, highly salted or sugar-sweetened.” Columbia has the fifth-highest percentage of adults who eat less than one serving of fruit or vegetables a day.
Most obese cities in America # 10: Louisville, Kentucky
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is unusually high in Louisville’s 12 low-income neighborhoods where healthy food is scarce. The city also reports the highest rates of heart disease and diabetes, which are both weight-related health problems.
The greatest threat to American lives is not a country or an organization, America’s worst enemy perhaps may not be North Korea, Iran, or Al-Qaida, her worst enemy is the excess weight burden of its own population driven by the insatiable appetite for high-calorie diets. – Oche Otorkpa
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