Michigan Has the Second Most Obese Children in the U.S.

These are shocking stats for both adults and children in the State of Michigan.

Here's how Wallethub.com came up with the results in this recent study,

In order to determine the fattest states in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three key dimensions: 1) Obesity & Overweight Prevalence, 2) Health Consequences and 3) Food & Fitness.  We evaluated those dimensions using 29 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the fattest state. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across states.

Michigan ranks #2 in the nation with the highest percentage of obese children:

#1.  Mississippi
#2.  Michigan
#3.  West Virginia
#4.  Pennsylvania
#5.  Oklahoma

Michigan also ranks #12 most obese state when the adults and children are combined.

Here are more important stats for the mitten state:

Obesity & Overweight Problem in Michigan (1=Fattest; 25=Avg.)

• 21^st – % of Obese Adults
• 2^nd – % of Obese Children
• 22^nd – % of Physically Inactive Adults
• 18^th – % of Adults with High Cholesterol
• 22^nd – % of Adults Eating Less than 1 Serving of Fruits/Vegetables per Day
• 19^th – % of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
• 16^th – % of Adults with Hypertension

Wallet Hub goes on to say that the U.S. spends nearly $200 billion a year in health care related to obesity.

Sounds like we need to start training for the Kalamazoo Marathon and get our act together.