Obesity is the percentage of the population estimated to be obese, defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher. BMI is equal to your weight in pounds divided by your height in inches squared and then multiplied by 703. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides BMI calculators for both adults and children here.
Obesity is known to contribute to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and general poor health. The data are collected by each state as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System of the CDC.
The United Health Foundation has assembled a statistical chart illustrating the prevalence of obesity in America by state. The trend isn’t good. Blame who you want, but unless we alter our eating behavior, we’re all in deep trouble.
The graphic below, using data from the CDC, gives an alarming look at how we’re increasing our BMI as a population. Check to see how your state compares. Scary, isn’t it?
