A health analysis released this month by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation revealed that both Indiana and Kentucky are among 12 states in the nation considered “very obese,” meaning an obesity prevalence of 30% or more. Data for the analysis came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With an obesity rate of 30.8%, Indiana ranks as the eighth most obese state (tied with South Carolina) – moving it up seven spots from its ranking of 15th last year. Kentucky, on the other hand, saw improvement with its obesity rate dropping from 31.5% in 2010 to 30.4% in 2011 for a ranking of 10th most obese in the country (tied with Texas). The report notes that “[o]besity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs” and “is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced.” It further notes that the country needs to invest more in order to curb this trend.
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