2020’s Most Overweight and Obese States in America

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and things are not looking good for the nation. People can be offended by the wording, but the facts don't change. Fat is the new normal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Aside from the obvious health problems, the cost of obesity threatens individuals and organizations as it puts a strain on the health system. It's like a perfect storm of a population that gets sicker and sicker as it literally grows, and with that comes more cost and the need to dedicate more health resources to a problem that may be itself

This is probably the point where a thousand personal trainers jump up and scream about comorbidity, health, and exercise.

This is great, but it cannot be overlooked that with the increase in gym and health club memberships over the past three decades, as more money has gone into the fitness industry, the rise in obesity rates has actually not declined adequately, quite the opposite.

Source: Axios

There are also some interesting factors influencing the level of obesity. For example, while West Virginia has the lowest percentage of overweight adults, it has the second highest percentage of overweight adults, which means there is no middle ground.

To be honest, the problem is very, very big. But at the end of the day, the data shows that high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholestrol pretty much coincide with the worst conditions on the charts. You can check out the interstate obesity factors infographic here.

The facts about the high cost of fat

• $ 294.6 billion: Estimated medical costs for diabetes in the United States in 2019.
• 9,506 USD: Average annual health care costs for patients with diabetes.
• 2.3: The frequency with which a diabetic patient's healthcare costs increase.
• 14 & 18 years: Reducing the average life expectancy of male and female type 1 diabetes patients.
• 88 million: Number of American adults with "prediabetes" (84% of whom do not know they have diabetes).
• 70%: Chances of Developing Diabetes If Both Parents Have Type 2 Diabetes.

The following data breaks the top 20 states by obesity prevalence, courtesy of Wallethub. Where is your state? And do you know why

It is worth asking the question of whether there is a culture of obesity that can be identified by the state and what demographic, socio-economic, and cultural factors determine the statistics.

Going to the gym or exercising more or eating better doesn't seem to resonate equally across national lines. Finding out why this is an important part of finding solutions that aren't just the fitness industry's usual quick fixes and promises.