RI Residents Among The Nation's Slimmest: Report

PROVIDENCE, RI — The U.S. routinely ranks at or near the top the list of the most obese countries in the world, and it's a problem that's getting worse, according to a recent report from the Trust for America’s Health. But Rhode Island is bucking the national trend, with one of the lowest obesity rates in the country.

In 2018, nine U.S. states had an adult obesity rate above 35 percent, a staggering increase from 2012, when no states exceeded that threshold, the report said, citing data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The report is the health trust's 16th annual publication on the subject.

The obesity rate in Rhode Island was 27.7 percent in 2018, which ranked 41st among the states. But a fourth of Ocean State residents — 25.7 percent — are physically inactive, which was 16th-highest rate in the country, and a third — 33.1 percent — suffer from hypertension, 17th-highest in the country.

The report also breaks down obesity information by race, ethnicity and gender. Obesity rates were slightly higher for black (33.2 percent) and Latino residents (34.3 percent) than for whites (27.1 percent), and men (28.4 percent) were slightly more likely to be obese than women (27.1 percent).

Adults suffering from obesity have an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and several types of cancer. Obesity-related health care expenditures are estimated to increase health care spending by $149 million annually.

“These latest data show that our national obesity crisis is getting worse,” said John Auerbach, president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health. “They tell us that almost 50 years into the upward curve of obesity rates, we haven’t found the right mix of programs to stop the epidemic.”

The 2018 report outlines possible policy actions by federal, state and local government that would address the obesity crisis, including:

• Increase the price of sugary drinks through excise taxes and use the revenue to address health and socioeconomic disparities.
• Fully fund the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program and other federal programs that support student physical education.
• Cover evidence-based comprehensive pediatric weight-management programs and services in Medicaid.
• Expand the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children to age 6 for children and for two years postpartum for mothers and fully fund the WIC breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program.

Here are the Top 10 most obese states in the country:

1. Mississippi: 39.5 percent of adults.
2. West Virginia: 39.5 percent of adults.
3. Arkansas: 37.1 percent of adults.
4. Louisiana: 36.8 percent of adults.
5. Kentucky: 36.6 percent of adults.
6. Alabama: 36.2 percent of adults.
7. Iowa: 35.3 percent of adults.
8. North Dakota: 35.1 percent of adults.
9. Missouri: 35.0 percent of adults.
10. Oklahoma: 34.8 percent of adults.

On the other end of the spectrum, Colorado has the lowest adult-obesity rate in the U.S., at 23 percent. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia round out the five least obese states.

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common, and potentially dangerous complications stemming from obesity. However, the disease is treatable, and even reversible in many cases. A commitment to healthy eating, a regimented exercise plan, and the use of medication to manage your blood sugar can completely clear your body from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

West Virginia has the highest diabetes rate in the country, with 16.2 percent of the adult population.

Patch staffer Gus Saltonstall contributed to this report.