A new report on obesity found that the obesity rate has increased for every state in the U.S.
Trust for America’s Health released their annual report and it showed an alarming trend.
“Obesity is on the rise, it’s a serious problem and it really needs policy action to solve,” said Rhea Farberman, an expert with the TFAH.
The report shows over the past 20 years, the obesity rate in adults is up 37%. For children, the rates are even higher, at 42%.
“We need to look at what’s going on in society. What’s going on in individual communities that is leading to the increase in obesity,” Farberman said.
One of the main reasons our country is seeing these higher obesity rates is because of a lack of resources, the TFAH found. Many communities suffer from food insecurities, poverty, and lack of access to full-service grocery stores and safe exercise areas.
Because of these problems, many people resort to less expensive food options, which end up being low in nutrition and high in calories.
“Low-income communities have many more fast food outlets than they do full-service grocery stores,” said Farberman.
Obesity leads to multiple issues like heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. It’s important to put your health first so you and your family can live long and happy lives.
You can read the full report by clicking here.