Published: July 21, 2008 04:32 pm            

Obesity report — Battle against the bulge must continue

The good news is West Virginia is not the second fattest state anymore. The bad news: We’ve only dropped down to fifth place.

In an obesity study released late last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mountain State placed behind Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana in the top five states with the highest levels of adult obesity in 2007.

West Virginia’s percentage of adult obesity was almost identical in the reports released this year and last. The recent study showed the Mountain State with a 29.5 percent obesity rate, while the percentage in last year’s study was 29.8 percent.

So why do West Virginians, and residents of many other southern states, struggle with obesity?

The answer may be a mix of possible reasons.

Some cite the typical diet of southerners, which tends to be fried and high in fat. Others note the South has a large concentration of rural residents and black women, both of which generally have higher obesity rates.

Additionally, the economy can also impact obesity rates. Individuals who are poor tend to be obese, a Columbia University profession said in Associated Press report on the CDC study. The researcher said the cheapest foods tend to be higher in calories, and stores offering healthier, more expensive offerings are not always available in poor neighborhoods.

West Virginia is certainly aware of its problems with obesity and overweight residents, and has established numerous initiatives over the past few years to help stem this problem, including the inclusion of a dance video game as part of physical education curriculum, giving free Weight Watchers to Medicaid recipients, regulating the food in school vending machines and putting programs in place to help state employees lose weight.

But, despite the efforts, a dramatic weight loss among state residents has yet to be noted. And, just as alarming, West Virginia also continually ranks high in studies showing the number of children and teens who are obese and overweight.

Problems with obesity go far beyond self-image. The CDC links obesity with several health risks, including high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and some cancers.

With these known health risks at issue, West Virginia must continue its fight against obesity.

Losing weight can be a long, slow process — just like the Mountain State’s battle against this health risk. But, in the end, the rewards pay off. Not just for the individual, but for our society as a whole.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.