Best of the Worst

Vermont's Obesity Rates Aren't the Worst, But They Aren't Great.

hero_image===https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/yourethecure/pages/25584/attachments/original/1505427787/2017%20State%20of%20Obesity%20Cropped.png?1505427787
thumbnail===https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/yourethecure/pages/25584/attachments/original/1505427791/2017%20State%20of%20Obesity%20Cropped.png?1505427791

Vermont is generally thought of as one of the healthiest states in the nation, but when it comes to obesity rates, maybe we’re really just the best of the worst.

The State of Obesity Report released this month by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Trust for America’s Health shows Vermont’s current adult obesity rate is 27.1%. Sure, that’s the 13th lowest in the country, but not really something to be proud of considering our adult obesity rate has climbed consistently from 10% in 1990, to 17% in 2000, to its current level, which is almost triple the rate of thirty years ago.

Poor nutrition, along with a lack of exercise and tobacco use, is one of the three behaviors that are driving four chronic diseases in Vermont costing the state $2,042,000,000.

If the financial toll is troubling enough already, consider this. The current 38,000 cases of heart disease in Vermont are expected to climb to more than 190,000 if these trends continue.

Contact your legislators and urge them to join us in making obesity and diet-related diseases a priority.

Share This Story

Showing 2 reactions


Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.