Minnesota's obesity rate continues climb upward

Study shows obesity increased to almost a fourth of its population, but rates of diabetes didn't rise.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: August 21, 2008 - 11:47 PM

The rate of adult obesity in Minnesota is on the increase, but the state is still better off than most.

That's the word this week from an annual report issued by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The report ranks Minnesota 30th, with 24.8 percent of its adults being clinically obese. That's up from 23.7 percent in the previous year's report.

Nationally, adult obesity rates rose in 37 states in the past year. No state saw a decrease.

More than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states, which is an increase from 19 last year. More than 20 percent of adults are obese in every state except Colorado. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. BMI is calculated using height and weight. For example, an adult 5 feet 9 inches tall who weighs 203 pounds would have a BMI of 30.

Leading the rankings is Mississippi at 31.7 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate at 18.4 percent.

Among other Upper Midwest states, Iowa came in 19th (26.3 percent), South Dakota 20th (26.1), North Dakota 21st (25.9) and Wisconsin 25th (25.5).

Rates of Type 2 diabetes, a disease typically associated with obesity, increased in 26 states last year, but not in Minnesota. Minnesota ranks 48th in Type 2 diabetes, with 5.7 percent of the population affected, and it ranks third-lowest for hypertension.

The full report with state rankings in all categories is available at www.healthyamericans.org and www.rwjf.org.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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