LOS ANGELES.- Obesity in the United States will dramatically increase in the next 18 years according to a report published today.

The study titled "F as in Fat: How obesity threatens America's future," released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), by 2030 the adult obesity rate will be over 60 percent in 13 US states.

"Every level of government must pursue policies to preserve health, prevent diseases and reduce healthcare costs. Nothing less is acceptable," stated Doctor Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, President and Chief Executive of RWJF.

According to the research, based on data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state most affected by the obesity epidemic will be Mississippi, where almost seven out of ten adults (66.7 percent) will be obese in the next 18 years.

Besides the CDC data, researchers analyzed recent trends of obesity rates concluding that in 2030 the obesity rates of every state in the US will surpass the 44 percent mark.

"This report emphasizes that policies about increasing physical activity in schools as well as lowering the costs of fruits and vegetables could help people to make healthier choices," said Jeff Levi, CEO of TFAH.

The repercussions on US citizens' health are serious; the analysis foresees illnesses linked to being overweight –from strokes to arthritis- could duplicate for 2030.

Just California would have doubled its proportion of obese adults for that year if it doesn't change the habits of its residents.

"In the next 20 years, nine states could see their obesity related healthcare costs rise over 20 percent," states the document.

On the other hand, if the Golden State, whose child population is mostly Hispanic, reduces by 5 percent the body mass index (BMI) of its people, it will save around 81,000 millions of dollars in healthcare, the highest amount in the whole country.

Wyoming, the state with the lowest healthcare cost in the same period, could save one thousand million dollars with the same reduction of BMI.

Oklahoma, with a 66 percent of its population suffering from obesity, Delaware with 65 percent and Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama, all with 63 percent, are the states with the highest adult obesity rates estimated for 2030.

Colorado, with a 45 percent; Alaska and Utah, with a 46 percent along with Connecticut and California, with a 47 percent, are the states with the smallest adult obesity proportion for the same year.

A federal response is critical "to face the severity of healthcare and financial costs of the epidemic," finished the report.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Original Text : EFE Agency

Translation: Karen.balderas@sandiegored.com