The latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the Midwest has the highest prevalence of adult obesity, followed by the South, and Wisconsin’s numbers aren’t improving.
For the first time since the CDC began tracking adult obesity rates, Wisconsin has topped the 30-percent mark — last year it was at 31.2 percent.
“It’s a number we really need to keep track of and hopefully see levelling off and going down in the future,” said Dr. Patrick Remington, an associate dean at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
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However, the nation’s weight has generally been going up, not down. In the latest report, 22 states, including Wisconsin had adult obesity rates above 30 percent. Three states were above 35 percent: Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia. CDC officials say obesity continues to be a major public health problem.
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