Obesity is a major health issue in the United States, affecting millions of people and increasing the risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain malignancies.
According to a recent Trust for America’s Health report, 38.7% of Arkansas adults are obese, ranking the state sixth worst in the US for obesity. According to the research, the obesity rate in Arkansas increased from 36.4% in 2020 to 38.7% in 2021.
Worst City in Arkansas for Obesity
The study examines how overweight people are in various cities using data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey. This poll questions respondents about their health behaviors.
According to the research, the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway area has Arkansas’ highest obesity rate, with 42.8% of the population being obese. This is more than twice as high as the national average of 19.5%.
The survey also states that this location has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in Arkansas, with 23.9% of adults reporting they don’t always have enough money to buy food.
People who do not have enough money to buy healthful meals are more likely to become obese. Instead, they might eat items high in calories, fat, sugar, and salt. People who do not have enough money for food may find it difficult to engage in physical activities outside, forcing them to rely on transportation or delivery services instead.
What Can Be Done To Lower Obesity Rates?
The research offers various measures to address obesity-related issues at the national, state, and municipal levels. Here are some of these recommendations:
- Increase funding for initiatives aimed at preventing obesity and related health risks. These programs could involve encouraging physical exercise, teaching about proper diet, providing exams and counseling, and assisting with medication.
- Ensure that all pupils have access to nutritious meals at school. This might entail maintaining the adjustments implemented during the COVID-19 epidemic to help students and families acquire healthful food. It also entails strengthening school nutrition standards and providing more opportunities for pupils to participate in physical activity.
- Make it easy for individuals to access affordable and nutritious meals. This could include community gardens, farmers’ markets, food banks, mobile markets, and other initiatives.
- Promote healthy eating habits in children and adults through media campaigns, social marketing initiatives, food labeling standards, and surcharges on sugary drinks and foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
- Encourage research into effective approaches to prevent and cure obesity in various populations and circumstances.
Final Words
Obesity is a complex condition with numerous underlying causes and consequences, necessitating a multimodal management plan. We can make America a better environment for everyone by implementing evidence-based policies that promote healthy behaviors on an individual, community, and societal level.
REFERENCE: top10.com, advisory.com