New report ranks Utah’s obesity rates compared to other states
OGDEN — A new report indicates Utah adults have significantly more heft than they did in 1990. But they still fare better — weight-wise — than their counterparts in 44 states.
Such are the findings of “The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America,” a project of the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
According to the report, now in its 12th annual edition, Utah ranks 45th of 51 states in terms of its current adult obesity rate of 25.7 percent — or roughly one in four. But that figure rose from 17.3 percent in 2000 and a slim 9 percent in 1990.
Arkansas ranked first with 35.9 percent, Colorado last at 21.3 percent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity differs from being overweight and is based on Body Mass Index (BMI), which is derived from dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of his or her height in meters. A high BMI can indicate high body fatness.
Someone with a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 is normal, 25 to 29.9 overweight, and 30 or above obese.
According to County Health Rankings, 22 percent of adults reported a BMI of 30 or more in Cache and Morgan Counties; that number rose to 25 percent in Davis, 28 percent in Weber and 31 percent in Box Elder counties.
Nationwide, 34.9% of American adults are obese and 68.6% fall into the combined categories of obese or overweight. In Weber and Morgan counties, 62.3 percent of people qualify as one or the other.
The State of Obesity report indicated Utah’s adult obesity rates vary with age: 18 to 25 years — 13.3 percent, 26 to 44 years — 25.9 percent, 45 to 64 years — 31.2 percent, 65 and older — 28.4 percent.
Why it matters
Obesity is a huge driver of preventable chronic diseases and healthcare costs in the U.S., which now range from $147 billion to almost $210 billion, according to the report.
Obesity-related health issues include diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, arthritis and obesity-related cancer.
By the numbers — Utah adults & obesity-related disease cases (2010)
- Diabetes: 164,385
- Hypertension: 390,890
- Heart disease: 113,478
- Arthritis: 410,666
- Obesity-related cancer: 29,834
The annual State of Obesity report is used to drive policies and programs throughout the country, including more walkable neighborhoods and safe routes to schools, plus the push for more walking/jogging paths and bicycle lanes to encourage exercise and active commuting to and from work.
Fighting back against fat
Jesse Bush, health promotions supervisor with the Weber-Morgan Health Department said his staff strives to plan overarching activities and objectives that can address all types of chronic disease management.
One such event was the Mayor’s Walk held the night before the Ogden Marathon in May. In conjunction with the GOAL Foundation and Ogden City, this activity gave residents the chance to walk a mile with Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell, culminating at the Marathon’s finish line downtown.
Thanks to a $322,000 three-year grant from the CDC, the Weber-Morgan Health Department used the Mayor’s Walk to launch its Healthy Living Through Environmental Policy and Improved Clinical Care Program, aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Approximately one in three Americans suffer from diabetes and/or high blood pressure, according to the CDC, both of which can be prevented or delayed through diet and exercise.
Weber-Morgan staff have also adopted the .8-mile Bluff Trail near the Ogden City Cemetery, pledging to maintain it for one year. Weber-Morgan employees hope to place signage indicating how many minutes it would take an average person to walk between various community landmarks.
Weber-Morgan also recently gave $15,000 to Wasatch Front Regional Council, Bush said, to help fund street policy assessments in three area cities.
Bush recommended that people start slow and simple as they embark on new personal fitness programs.
The first step is to decide to do something, Bush said, and then to choose a comfortable activity “within range of what you can complete,” such as a five- or 10-minute walk.
But he cautioned against the human tendency to compare oneself to others.
“When you get into the realm of body metabolism, it varies from person to person,” Bush said, “and it might take longer for some to build up stamina.”
Upcoming health-related events:
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Ogden City, Utah State University Extension, the Weber-Morgan Health Department and Weber Human Services have partnered to host “Eat Dinner with Your Family” at the Ogden Municipal Gardens near Washington Boulevard and Historic 25th Street. USU’s Food $ense Program will demonstrate how to make chicken chipotle wraps plus black bean and corn salad. Those dishes will be served to everyone in attendance, and there will also be games and prize drawings for grocery giveaways.
At 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, the area’s first “healthy check stand” will open at Fresh Market, 5691 Harrison Blvd., Ogden. The Weber-Morgan Health Department has teamed with Fresh Market to launch this amenity where customers will encounter fresh produce and healthy snacks rather than candy bars and sugary sodas as they wait in line to purchase groceries.
Contact reporter Cathy McKitrick at 801-625-4214 or cmckitrick@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @catmck.
