Obesity in America: New York Shows Rare Improvement in State-by-State Rankings

New York is among just five states where the prevalence of obesity declined year over year, according to the latest annual review of state obesity rates by the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC releases annual obesity rates each September based on larger, self-reported studies on behavioral risk factors.

Once, again, in every state, at least one in five adults is obese.

Still, New York was featured in the ranking for improvement. The prevalence of obese adults in New York dropped slightly, to 25 percent from 27 percent, the CDC reported. The state moved to No. 47 from No. 41 last year.

The other four states cited for making improvements were Ohio, which ranked eighth in obesity in 2014, then fell to No. 28 in the latest ranking and dropped nearly 3 percent in the obesity rate to 29.8 percent. Montana, Utah, and Minnesota also saw notable improvements in the year-over-year obesity rates.

On the other side of the scale, Louisiana has moved to the top of the list with a 36.2 percent obesity rate. Other states with notable increases included Alabama, Kentucky, Kansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon and Maine.

The report also looks at obesity rates by race, finding 38 percent of blacks reported being obese, compared to 31.9 percent of Hispanics and 27.6 percent among whites.

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 2012 study in the Journal of Health Economics.

The CDC provides additional funding to 32 states to improve access to healthy foods and increase outreach on the importance of physical activity. In New York the CDC spent $510,355 in the last fiscal year.

According to the CDC, New York worked on the following select activities during the first two years of the State Public Health Actions program:

• In partnership with SUNY Albany School of Public Health, provided training, technical assistance and resources to contractors, municipalities, hospitals, local health departments, worksites and community-based organizations for three prioritized areas. These include implementation of nutrition guidelines consistent with New York State Council on Food Policy’s guidelines, implementation of complete streets policies, and promotion of breastfeeding in hospital, primary care and worksite settings.
• Implemented Great Beginnings NY, a hospital-based initiative to support a mother’s decision to breastfeed. Sixty-eight New York birthing hospitals participated in the initiative.
• Designated 16 pediatric, family, and obstetric/gynecologic provider practices as Breastfeeding-Friendly, encouraging new mothers before and after birth to breastfeed their infants. Designation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Practice required completion of pre- and post- assessments documenting practice support for breastfeeding, participation in a virtual learning network, and submission of a written office breastfeeding policy.
• In partnership with the statewide obesity prevention coalition Designing a Strong and Healthy New York, published a mandatory daily active recess implementation guide and information sheet for New York elementary schools.
• Funded contracts in 5 high-need community-schools for a coordinated, multisector effort to increase demand for and access to healthy food and beverages and improve opportunities for physical activity. A statewide Obesity Prevention Center of Excellence will support the work of the grantees through a collaborative learning community.

Learn more about New York's Obesity Prevention Programs and Activities here.

SEE: Obesity in America: State by State Rankings

Photo provided by CDC/ Debora Cartagena