Missouri was the 12th most obese state in the country last year, according to a report released last week by Washington, D.C.-based health group Trust for America’s Health. This is the sixth consecutive year Missouri has been ranked in the top 15.
The report, titled “F as in Fat,” reflects the health conditions of each state’s population through statistics of adult health, child and adolescent health and “F as is Fat” indicators.
Regionally, the ranking doesn’t come as much of a surprise, TFAH spokesperson Albert Lang said.
“The Midwest and the South typically are ranked highly,” he said. “If a state like Missouri were to drop from 12 to nine, it wouldn’t be a large change — these states set the benchmark very high.”
These figures can also be attributed to the availability of healthy options, especially in areas of lower socio-economic status. Making healthy options available to all people is part of a comprehensive strategy to battle the obesity trend and improve our communities’ health, the report stated.
“There are high levels of inactivity,” Lang said. “There are many parts of the South and Midwest that aren’t eating enough fruits and vegetables. If people want to be healthy, they need to have the availability to those options.”
These opinions can be directed to state spending toward funding for more or better health programs. Between 2010 and 2011, the state government had budgeted $35.3 million for public health programs, a $12.3 million budget cut from 2009-10 allocations.
Even in the current economic condition, studies have shown by investing in more health programs now, future spending on health-related issues would decrease, Lang said.
“The longer you wait to cover these expenses, the greater number of obese people you have to take care of, which could cost millions of dollars in the long run,” he said.
The long run Lang alludes to is considered by the report to be “two futures for America’s health.” By 2030, at least 13 states will have obesity rates of more than 60 percent, the report stated.
Missouri will be ranked ninth with a projected obesity rate of 61.9 percent, the report stated.
In 2011, the Missouri General Assembly revised provisions for the Farm-to-Table Advisory Board to help incorporate more locally grown agricultural products in public cafeterias, salad bars and vending machines.
Along with 27 other states and Washington, D.C., Missouri has been trying to promote programs for healthier eating options. TFAH said it hopes this can be a building block to a healthier future for America and that projections for 2030 won’t be true.
“Investing in prevention today means a healthier, more productive and brighter future for our country and our children,“ the report stated.
