Report: Adult Obesity Remains High; Highest among Latinos

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U.S. adult obesity rates remained high overall, and highest among Latino adults and children, according to a new report.

The report, The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), found that adult obesity rates did not decrease in any states, increased in six states, and now exceed 35% for the first time in two states, and are not below 21% in any.

Highest rates: Mississippi and West Virginia (35.1%), Arkansas (34.6%), and Tennessee (33.7%).

Lowest rates: Colorado (21.3%), Hawaii (21.8%), Washington, D.C. (22.9%), and Massachusetts (23.6%).

Disparities persist, with adult obesity rates the highest in the South and among Latinos, Blacks, and lower-income, less-educated Americans.

Childhood obesity rates were 22.4% among Hispanics, 20.2% among Blacks and 14.1% among Whites.

“Obesity rates are unacceptably high, and the disparities in rates are profoundly troubling,” said Dr. Jeffrey Levi, executive director of TFAH. “We need to intensify prevention efforts starting in early childhood, and do a better job of implementing effective policies and programs in all communities—so every American has the greatest opportunity to have a healthy weight and live a healthy life.”

The State of Obesity reviews existing policies and issues high-priority recommendations for making affordable healthy foods and safe places for physical activity available to all Americans, such as focusing on healthy food financing, improving nutrition and activity in schools, and limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods to kids.

The report also contains special reports on obesity in Latino and Black communities.

TFAH partnered with Salud America! The RWJF Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children, (a project of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday) to identify more effective strategies for implementing obesity-prevention policies in Latino communities.

The Latino section includes:

• Analysis: Explore challenges and strategies for addressing Latino obesity;
• Public Health Leader Interviews: Learn from health experts in Latino communities around the country reveal important insight about challenges and promising strategies for addressing obesity;
• Commentary by Rose Gowen of Brownsville, Texas: Tu salud si cuenta: How improving health benefits the entire community; and
• Case studies are also presented.

Latino-focused policy recommendations include:

• Increased support at all levels;
• Use culturally sensitive communications;
• Grants to help minorities open grocery stores;
• Limit advertising for unhealthy foods;
• Increase access and use of promotores;
• Educate Latino parents about childhood obesity; and
• Partner with local communities.

“Going forward, we must spread what works to prevent obesity to every state and region, with special focus on those communities where rates remain the highest,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO.