State ranked 2nd in obesity

Weight problem could lead to greater strain on healthcare

By Laura Johnson | Alex City Outlook

Published Saturday, July 4, 2009

Alabama, which is always near the top of the list when it comes to being one of the most obese states in the nation, is now vying for the top spot, according to a new report.

That report, published by the Trust in America’s Heath and the Robert Wood Foundation, reported that Alabama’s obesity rate is the second highest in the nation and that 31.2 percent of the state’s adult population is considered obese. Mississippi is the only state ahead of Alabama in the rankings with an obesity rate of 32.5 percent.

“In the south, the diets typically do tend to include a lot of fat and fried things,” said Linda Moore, a registered dietitian at Russell Medical Center. “Since both states have similar diets, I guess it’s not surprising that they have obesity rates that are statistically similar.”

One of the more alarming statistics in the report is that the childhood obesity rate actually exceeds that of the adults. At 44.4 percent, Mississippi also tops the list for the having the largest percentage of obese children. The report states Alabama ranks sixth on that list with the percentage of obese children at 36.1 percent.

“It is very sad,” said Cara Tidwell, the fitness coordinator at Russell Medical Center’s Total Fitness. “I think that has to do with people forgetting that you can do activities that are not sports related.”

Nationwide, two-thirds of American adults are considered obese or overweight. In addition, while 15 percent of American adults were considered obese in 1980, today 25 percent of adults are considered obese in 31 American states and 20 percent of adults are considered obese in 49 states, the report stated.

Experts expect the problem to lead to increasing medical costs in the coming decades.

“Our health care costs have grown along with our waist lines,” said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., executive director of TFAH. “The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to the skyrocketing health care costs in the United States.”

Locally, officials say the solution to the obesity problem begins at home.

“People should increase activity within their families,” Tidwell said. “It not only helps your children but it helps you to be active with them.”

She recommends family activities such as trips to the pool, bicycling and neighborhood walks.

“Now is the best time to set aside time to visit the pool two or three times a week,” Tidwell said. “We have a wonderful state park, Wind Creek, and they could visit Wind Creek and ride (bikes) in a safe environment.”

Tidwell said while exercise is important, nutrition is just as much a part of the equation in developing a healthy lifestyle.

“Nether can work without the other,” Tidwell said. “Fitness and nutrition have to work together.”

As a dietitian, Moore recommends starting with small steps.

“It can be common sense, instead of frying your food, bake it, cut your portion sizes and become active,” Moore said. “Most health problems that we have when we’re overweight are caused by the fact that we are overweight. Our bodies are just not meant to carry all that weight and when we do we get all these diseases.”

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