Climate change is not the only source of dire projections. In 10 years, nearly one in two adults will be obese. Nearly one in four will be severely obese – with a body mass index over 35, which means they will be more than 100 pounds overweight. The most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data indicates adult obesity rates now exceed 35% in nine states, 30% in 31 states and 25% in 48 states. Mississippi and West Virginia have the highest adult obesity rate at 39.5% and Colorado has the lowest at 23%.
What about Michigan? Explore these articles to find the answer and learn more about the obesity epidemic and its costs.
- TIME: Half of the U.S. Population Will Be Obese by 2030
- Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM): Direct, Absenteeism, and Disability Cost Burden of Obesity Among Privately Insured Employees
- New York Times: Half of Us Face Obesity, Dire Projections Show
- Washington Post: What we mean when we talk about obesity, why it matters and what we can do about it
- UM Health Lab: Fat Shaming” Won’t Solve Obesity. Science Might.
