Iowa Citians Looking Slim Next to Rest of State and Nation But Obesity Rates Rising

Written by: Heather Martino

America’s epidemic of fatness extends all the way to Iowa City.

In Johnson County, 25.3 percent of men and 27.2 percent of women are obese, according to the latest data which captures obesity demographics through 2011. However, using the map above, you can see the rate of obesity has grown considerably for both sexes since 2001 - 7.6 percentage points for men and 8.4 percentage points for women. 

The obesity rate across Iowa among men is increasing faster than in Johnson County - 9 percentage points for men. The rate of obesity among women increased faster in Johnson County than the state, which as a whole is up 7.3 percentage points since 2001. However, Johnson County has a smaller proportion of obese people compared to the rest of the state, which averages 36.3 percent obese men and 35.9 percent obese women, as of 2011. 

Neighboring Linn County needs a few extra belt buckles, though compared to Johnson County.  In Linn County, 35.2 percent of women and 36.3 percent of men are obese. Since 2001, the obesity rate among men has risen 10 percentage points and 7.3 percentage points for women in Linn County. 

Compared to other states, Iowa men are fatter than the national average, while women are touch slimmer.

The county figures on the map were obtained from a recent study from the University of Washington, which found that nationwide women are more obese than their male counterparts.

According to the CDC, obesity affects more than one-third of adults, or 35.7 percent of the population in the United States. Obesity is calculated by measuring a person’s height and weight, and deriving at a ratio called the body mass index, or BMI. This number often correlates to an individual’s amount of body fat, and is used to ascertain whether a person is considered underweight, a normal weight, overweight or obese.

Obese individuals have a 50-100 percent increased risk of premature death, and it’s estimated that obesity may be the cause of 300,000 deaths per year according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Interestingly, Americans claim to be exercising more during the same time period that obesity climbed. 

“Around the country, you can see huge increases in the percentage of people becoming physically active, which research tells us is certain to have health benefits,” said IHME Director Dr. Christopher Murray in a press release. Murray added that “If communities in the US can replicate this success and tackle the ongoing obesity impact, it will see more substantial health gains.”

Here are resources to help you, your children, friends or loved ones deal with obesity from the American Public Health Association, the American Medical Association and ABC News:

• Tools for Parents, Teachers, Students, and Community Leaders to Eliminate Childhood Obesity
• Action for Healthy Kids
• AMA Healthy Lifestyles: Obesity
• AMA Healthy Lifestyles: Childhood Obesity
  
• Tips to starting a fitness routine
• Healthy Shopping List
• Fat-Free vs. Calories
• Healthy Recipes

• Roasted pork loin with acorn squash 
• Bread salad with roasted red peppers 
• Baked stuffed apples