Biggest Losers: 10-Year Obesity Trends In Hudson Valley Counties

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — While many of us are figuratively tightening our belts, it seems a lot of New Yorkers spent the past decade loosening our belts, with a few notable exceptions, according to a new study from BarBend.

Statistics show that a sharp increase in obesity rates began in the 1980s, yet public health campaigns since then have apparently not resulted in reductions in people’s waistlines.

A study by BarBend.com, a popular strength training resource and news outlet, identified obesity levels over the past 10 years in counties across The Empire State.

“The data clearly shows that, despite the warnings from public health officials, our lifestyles are becoming more sedentary and as a nation, we are becoming more obese,” Max Whiteside of BarBend said. “Obesity increases the risk of developing many diseases, and this is a crisis which is trending in the wrong direction.”

The analysis of data available by County Health Rankings compared each county’s rate of obesity in 2012 to newly releases figures in 2022. The study found that of New York’s 62 counties, just one had dropped its level of obesity: Putnam County, which dropped from 29 percent obesity in 2012 to 27 percent obesity in 2022..

• Putnam County 2022 Obesity Level: 27 percent (down 2 points from 2012)
• Rockland County 2022 Obesity Level: 28 percent (up 2 points from 2012)
• Ulster County 2022 Obesity Level: 31 percent (up 4 points from 2012)
• Dutchess County 2022 Obesity Level: 33 percent (up 5 points from 2012)
• Orange County 2022 Obesity Level: 32 percent (up 6 points from 2012)
• Westchester County 2022 Obesity Level: 26 percent (up 9 points from 2012)

To see the full list of all counties in New York State and how each county compares to the state average, go here.

SEE ALSO: How The Obesity Rates Compare Among The States