OBESITY A SOUTHERN TRADITION

A SOUTHERN TRADITION & A MAJOR HEATH PROBLEM

As a group, southern states tend to lead the pack when it comes to being significantly overweight or, in technical terms, obese.

Arkansas is by far the leader in adult obesity with a trend line that is only rivaled by Mississippi.  Arkansas’ obesity rate is 35.9% with Mississippi at 35.5%, based on 2014 data.

North Carolina is in the middle of the pack, with an obesity rate of 29.7% in 2014.

Obesity in North Carolina:

•    Year       % of Population       US Ranking
•    1990                 12.3                            9^th
•    1995                 16.3                          12^th
•    2000                 20.9                           11th
•    2005                 24.7                           17th
•    2010                 29.4                           14th
•    2014                 29.7                           24th

Cost of Obesity in North Carolina

Heart Disease, Arthritis and Obesity related Cancer are the major diseases that relate to both Medical Claims & Hospital Charges, not counting Lost Productivity on the job.

The chart below details the total cost of Unhealthy Lifestyles in NC.  Note that excess weight is the largest contributor to the overall cost; add in Diabetes, Hypertension and High Cholesterol and you can see the total cost of Obesity.