Boulder, Colorado Vs. Huntington, West Virginia: Which City Had The Highest/Lowest Obesity Rates In 2013?
ByThis website's most successful story (in terms of page views) was written in July about the world's fattest countries (Mexico was number one). Clearly, the country is at least interested in obesity -- with some parts doing more to combat the health issue than others.
A recent Gallup poll measured obesity rates around the country as a way to raise awareness of obesity in especially afflicted areas, USA Today reported. Overall, the country's rate of obesity was its highest since the poll began five years ago.
"[The study] is part of a call to action," Dan Witters, research director of Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, said in a press release. "It's increasing public awareness around this."
Not especially surprising (because of their outdoors reputation), Boulder, Colorado, is America's "skinniest" state, or, more accurately, the one least affected by obesity. Two other Colorado cities -- Denver and Fort Collins -- were also in the top 10. To find the city with the highest rate of obesity, you'd have to move southeast to Huntington, West Virginia. Appropriately, two other cities in the state were also in the not top 10.
Boulder's obesity rate (12.4 percent) was significantly below second place Naples, Florida (16.5 percent). Huntington's "win" was a little closer. They edged (or rounded) number two McAllen, Texas 39.5 percent to 38.3 percent.
Executors of the Gallup poll hope the results not only raise awareness, but bring about change in the cities infamously named.
"Rising obesity rates have significant health consequences for both individuals and communities of all sizes. Numerous social, environmental, economic, and individual factors may all contribute to physical inactivity and consumption of less healthy foods, two lifestyle behaviors linked to obesity," said Janna Lacatell, Healthways Lifestyle Solutions Director. "In order to combat the trend and encourage individuals to make healthier choices, community-based policy and environmental approaches can, and should, be used."