Report finds racial disparity in obesity
Wisconsin has the highest obesity rate among black adults in the nation, with nearly half falling into that overweight category, according to a report released Tuesday.The report, called "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens American's Future 2010," shows that 44 percent of adult blacks in the Badger State are obese. The rate for whites is 26 percent, and for Hispanics it is 24.9 percent.
Nationally, the obesity rate for blacks and Hispanics is higher in 40 states than it is for whites. And nine states have an obesity rate for black adults above 40 percent.
The ratings are based on a three-year average of data culled from 2007-2009 by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
State Health Officer Seth Foldy, administrator for the division of public health in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, said the racial and ethnic disparity in obesity rates in the state reflects differences in other health indicators, including mortality, smoking and teen pregnancy.
"It is a broad-based problem," Foldy said. "One response to this has been making (elimination of) racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes a priority. One of the issues is the extent to which economic and social disadvantage" is a factor. "In general, Wisconsin is a prosperous and middle-class state, but African Americans are concentrated in high-poverty communities."
Overall, Wisconsin is tied for 24th with Alaska in state obesity rankings, with 27 percent of the states' adults being obese. Wisconsin ranks 43rd in obesity among Hispanics.
Wisconsin, the report says, lags behind other states in implementing policies to address obesity. For example:
- Wisconsin is not among the 20 states and the District of Columbia that have set stricter nutritional standards than the federal government for school breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
- Wisconsin is not among the 28 states and the District of Columbia that have nutritional standards for competitive foods sold in vending machines, school stores or at school bake sales.
- Wisconsin is not among 20 states that require children and adolescents undergo body mass index screenings or some other form of weight assessments in school.
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