The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index provides a comprehensive, real-time view of the public’s health and well-being in the United States. The latest Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index lists the 10 most obese metropolitan areas in the United States. In each of the most obese metropolitan areas, the rate of adult obesity is significantly higher than the 2009 national average of 26.5%.

In January 2008, Gallup and Healthways began collecting body mass index (BMI) as part of the Well-Being Index. Based on surveys conducted in 187 metropolitan areas in 2009, the latest Well-Being Index listed the 10 most obese metropolitan areas in the U.S., with Montogomery, Ala., and Stockton, Calif., tying for most obese with an obesity rate of 34.6%. To see the full list, click here.

The Well-Being Index also took an in-depth look at health-related behaviors, community conditions, and physical health across the 10 most obese metro areas and revealed that, on almost every item, these 10 places ranked among the bottom two-thirds of all 187 areas surveyed. The most obese metropolitan areas generally ranked low on healthy behaviors, just as frequent exercise, self-reported healthy eating, and fruit and vegetable consumption. It may be that the low ranking for healthy behaviors is related to community conditions, as many of the most obese areas also ranked low in terms of having safe places to exercise and easy access to fruits and vegetables.

Not surprisingly, the Well-Being Index also found that most obese places suffer with poor physical health. Obesity can lead to chronic and costly health problems, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart attack. Each of the 10 most obese metro areas was in the bottom two-thirds of all places surveyed in terms of diabetes. So, the bottom line is, obesity rates are still on the rise in the U.S. and focusing on promoting healthy habits and improving access to healthy choices remains a critical public health initiative.

Source:

Gallup news release, 2 March 2010.