Do You Live In One Of America's Most Obese Cities?
Obesity is a growing problem in America (no pun intended), and numerous times each year, studies are released detailing this struggle. About 30.8 percent of the U.S. population is defined as obese, including almost 35 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Journal of American Medicine.
Using the CDC's data, which examined obesity rates in every city of at least 50,000 people, RentApplication.com compiled a list of the top 100 "Fattest Cities in America." The full list can be found here, but we've included the top 10 cities below. Unsurprisingly, states in the region containing arguably the most delicious (and thus most fattening) foods — the South — ranked near the top. In fact, all but one city in the top 10 (and also the top 20) is located in the Southern United States. We're looking at you, Saginaw, Michigan.
The study also noted that obese people spend 42 percent more on healthcare — about $147 billion annually — with childhood obesity responsible for $14.1 billion alone.
Obesity is classified as having a body mass index (BMI) over 30. (Although it's worth noting that BMI might not be the most accurate way to measure whether or not a person is overweight or obese.)
Do you live in one of America's most obese cities?
#10 Huntington, W.Va. — 39 percent
#9 Lumberton, N.C. — 39 percent
#8 Rocky Mount, N.C. — 39.2 percent
#7 Pine Bluff, Ark. — 39.2 percent
#6 Houma, La. — 39.4 percent
#5 Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — 39.5 percent
#4 Saginaw, Mich. — 39.7 percent
#3 Hammond, La. — 40.2 percent
#2 Orangeburg, S.C. — 41 percent
#1 Opelousas, La. — 42.3 percent