F is for Fat: Wis. Obesity Could Reach 50%

According to a new national report, the number of people considered obese will double by 2030.

A report by Trust for America’s Health shows every state steadily gaining weight, with projected increases by 2030that could put more than half Wisconsin’s population in the obese category.

Jeff Levi is executive director of Trust for America’s Health. He says, “To put this in context, 20 years ago no state had an obesity rate above 15 percent.”

The national report showed obesity was higher in the south and Midwest. Data from the Centers for Disease Control shows a dozen states have obesity rates above 30 percent. Wisconsin is not there yet; although it is getting close with a rate of 27.7 percent.

Tom Sieger is prevention director at University Health Services, which is part of a statewide clearinghouse that seeks to improve health. Sieger says, “I think candidly Wisconsin is not doing enough. I don’t believe for example at the state level there is really any significant investment in obesity prevention, and I think that’s a very serious concern.”

Recently the prevention clearinghouse launched an effort called Transform Wisconsin. It gives federal money to local nonprofits to improve access to fruit and vegetables. Another focus is boosting activity levels. Twenty-eight counties are part of Transform Wisconsin.