Alabama Obesity Statistics

Alabama obesity statistics

As of 2011, Alabama is ranked as the second most obese state in America.

Over the last 15 years, the obesity rate in Alabama has doubled to 32.3% for adults.

• The combined rates for overweight and obese adults is 68.7% of their total population of 4,779,736 (U. S. Census 2010), or over 3 million people with increased risks of life-threatening health conditions.

• In fact, diabetes has more than doubled since 1996 to 12.2% and almost 34% of the population has hypertension.

• Racial and ethnic categories show 42.4% obese rates among Blacks, 30.7% among Latinos, and 29% among Whites.

Childhood obesity statistics for Alabama

• As of 2007, 17.9 per cent of children and teens, age 10 to 17, were considered obese.

• Approximately 24% of Alabama’s population is under the age of 18, making up to 200,000 young people at risk of developing serious medical conditions.

Alabama obesity county rankings

• According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2008, Alabama counties with obese levels over 40% include Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Perry, Sumpter, and Wilcox.

• Counties with the lowest levels under 30% include Baldwin, Cleburne, Elmore, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lee, Limestone, Marion, Marshall, Shelby, and Winston County.

• Diabetes rates are higher and physical activity levels are lower in those counties with the highest rates of obesity.

Helping to lose weight and improve health

• Alabama is among 20 states choosing school meal standards that are more strict than federal USDA standards and among 29 other states that restrict the sale of competitive foods more than federal standards.

• It is also among 16 states that have Complete Streets laws that support bicycling and pedestrian safety to encourage exercise.

• Outdoor recreation areas may be available in the Little River Canyon National Preserve, Russell Cave National Monument, Natchez Trace Parkway, and the Conecuh, Talledega, Tuskegee, and William B. Bankhead National Forests, as well as state parks and private recreational facilities.

• Alabama has a long history of agriculture and still produces local fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, and meat for a healthy diet.

• Other sources of help to reduce Alabama obesity levels include private physicians, hospital educational support, church support groups, non-profit organizations, community initiatives, public health state task force childhood programs, and community grants from the federal government, in addition to self-education.

These Alabama obesity statistics are reported in "F as in Fat" from the Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, using state and national public health statistical data.

Learn more about weight loss with these related articles:

• How much to lose for a significant weight loss to improve health?

• Will using a HIIT exercise program save time and still get great results?

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