NH Obesity Rate Drops to 26.3 Percent

The Granite State became more chiseled in 2015 as the obesity rate dropped to 26.3 percent, according to new federal data released this month. The rate is down from 27.4 percent in 2014.

Still, the rate is over double the 1990 figure of 9.9 percent and puts New Hampshire near the bottom (38th) compared to all states. The most obese segment of the Granite State's population is those aged 45-64 (28.9 percent).

People who are obese are at a higher risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea and some forms of cancer, as well as other health issues. Medical care costs related to obesity have reached more than $190 billion a year, according to a recent study in the Journal of Health Economics.

New Hampshire received $96,584 in federal money in the last fiscal year through the CDC's State Public Health Actions program to combat obesity in communities.

- Greg Hambrick (Patch National Staff) contributed to this report

Photo: Debora Cartagena/CDC