Obesity

Obesity Threatens Americans' Quality of Life

Obesity and inactivity are the 2 greatest threats to Americans’ quality of life, according to the 25th annual America’s Health Rankings report.

Started in 1990 and published by the United Health Foundation, along with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, the Americas’ Health Rankings report provides a state-by-state analysis of national health.

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Notable trends in 2014 include:

  • Obesity and inactivity, which had fallen in 2013, increased from 27.6% to 29.4% and 22.9% to 23.5%, respectively. Note: Obesity has more than doubled within the 25 years of measurement—from 11.6% in 1990. Obesity-related conditions (eg, diabetes) have also reported substantial growth in the last 25 years.
  • Smoking prevalence has decreased—data suggests a 3% decline in 2014, or a total of  36% since 1990.
  • The average life expectancy is at a record high of 78.8 years,.
  • Cardiovascular and premature death have decreased by 38% and 20%, respectively, since 1990.

State-by-State Analysis

Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Utah were named the top 5 healthiest states in the country. This marks Hawaii’s third consecutive year topping the list, largely due to low prevalence of smoking and obesity, low rates of children in poverty, small disparity in health status by education level, and low rate sof preventable hospitalizations as well as cancer and cardiovascular deaths.

Oklahoma, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi were ranked lowest. At 50 on the list, Mississippi boasts high immunization coverage, low binge drinking prevalence, and a small disparity in health status. However, the data reports high rates of obesity, physician inactivity, diabetes, children in poverty, limited access to primary care physicians and dentists, and high incidence of infectious disease.

“The challenge for the next 25 years is to achieve widespread, uniform success in fighting the chronic conditions that threaten Americans’ quality of life and adversely affect our nation’s health care system,” researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

United Health Group. 25th anniversary America’s health rankings finds increased obesity and physical inactivity after short-lived improvements in 2013 [press release]. December 9, 2014. www.unitedhealthgroup.com/Newsroom/Articles/Feed/UnitedHealth%20Group/2014/1210AmericasHealthRankings.aspx. Accessed December 10, 2014.