WASHINGTON — Obesity levels are skyrocketing nationwide with the rate of adults living with the disease jumping by nearly 40 percent over the last two decades alone!
There are now 22 states with obesity rates at or above 35 percent, according to a new report from Trust for America’s Health, a nonprofit, health policy organization.
“[Obesity] also contributes to and increases the risk of other conditions like type two diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many forms of cancer,” said Dr. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of Trust for America’s Health.
Dr. Gracia said the contributing factors to this public health issue are complex. She said it stems from genetics to social and economic factors.
“When we think about having access to healthy and nutritious foods, people who have food insecurity of households where they’re living paycheck to paycheck and not able to afford those nutritious foods,” said Dr. Gracia.
The report also outlinesseveral recommendations at the state and federal levels. She said she …