States With High Obesity Rates Remain Unchanged
The government recently released a report highlighting the persistent problem of obesity in America.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gathered a nationally representative rate of Americans across the U.S. by using The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System telephone survey in order to reach 400,000 Americans in 2011 and them asking the respondents about their height and weight.
The survey revealed that more than a third of adults nationwide are obese, but specific rates vary widely state to state. This latest survey is unique in that households with only cell phones were included in this survey for the first time.
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There were only minor changes in most states obesity rates. Unfortunately, the survey did show that the problem is not going away.
At least 30 percent of adults are obese in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia. Colorado made the list with the lowest obesity rate of any state at just under 21 percent.
The CDC released the figures Monday. The 2011 rates were determined using a different set of methodology from earlier surveys such as the inclusion of cell-phone only households, but this means the data cannot be scientifically compared to earlier obesity rates survey's meaning that this study will be used as foundation for future national obesity surveys.
With all the talk of rising obesity rates, some have resulted to treating unborn babies obesity.
Researchers in England recently began treating babies in utero for obesity that may be linked to high birth weight.
The study, facilitated through England's Medical Research Council, claimed the reason for the trial was due to the increasing percentage of obese women becoming pregnant, as well as the increase in the numbers of women who are pregnant becoming obese, and the resulting effect on their unborn child.
"One of the challenges is that many women feel perfectly healthy but there is very good evidence that women who are obese have an increased risk of pregnancy problems and their babies are at risk, and we'd like to reduce that risk," said Jane Norman, professor at Edinburgh University.
