With obesity in the news so much these days -- in part because of first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign and in part because of the relationship between obesity and health problems that cost all of us money -- we're thrilled to have data that might help policy-makers pinpoint their efforts to tackle the problem.
Our Elizabeth Mendes reveals in part one of a two-part series that in each of the top 10 most obese cities in the U.S., at least one-third of residents are obese based on Body Mass Index (BMI) rates calculated from their self-reported height and weight.
Looking at these data alongside other measures we track reveals some traits these cities have in common.
For the most part, their residents are less likely than Americans on average to report eating healthy, eating fruits and vegetables frequently, and exercising frequently. They also tend to be more likely than Americans on average to report smoking.
The nation's most obese metro areas also tend to report less easy access to fruits and vegetables and a safe place to exercise than the nation overall. They are also more likely to say there were times in the past year when they did not have enough money to buy food for themselves or their families.
The challenge is certainly big and complex. Oversimplified, the first list details some behaviors individuals can begin to change. The second covers realities that policy-makers and community leaders might have a hand in fixing.
In part two of this series, Mendes will reveal the 10 least obese metro areas in the nation to help uncover what they are doing right, as well as the complete city list.
At the national level, it's clear that obese Americans, wherever they live, are less likely to exercise, to eat fruits and vegetables regularly, and to report eating healthy. They are also more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks, and depression.
Over the next few weeks and months, we will also look at obesity by state. Only by understanding which areas are doing best and worst, and what differentiates them in terms of behaviors and access, can policy-makers effectively target their efforts at change. Doing so is critical to helping solve a problem currently taking both a significant physical and financial toll.
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