Chapter 3: Weight Management 44 How is it that athletes are becoming faster and stronger, yet the average U.S. adult is becoming more overweight and unfit? These physiological differences illustrate the disparity between technological advances and socioeconomic factors. Figure 3.1. illustrates the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults by state and territory as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). The results depict the following: • No state had an obesity trend < 20% • Only 2 states had an obesity trend between 20% and < 25% (i.e., Colorado, District of Columbia) • 17 states had an obesity trend between 25% and < 30% • 22 states had an obesity trend between 30% and < 35% • 9 states had an obesity trend ≥ 35% (i.e., Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, West Virginia) Figure 3.1. Prevalence of Obesity in U.S. Adults in 2018 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), only Colorado and the District of Columbia reported obesity trends below 25%. According to their findings, the lower obesity trend, at least for Colorado, is likely due in part to a culture of outdoor recreation (e.g., hiking, skiing). In fact, 82.3% of the individuals surveyed admitted to being physically active within the past month (compared to a 76.2% median for the other states). However, the obesity trend for Colorado has doubled in just a little over a decade and is currently ranked higher for childhood obesity as compared to the other states. Due to relatively low number of participants and the transient nature of those interviewed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the actual obesity trend for the District of Columbia is much
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