Obesity has been documented as a growing problem, not only in Michigan, but across the country. This post will examine the obesity rate for Michigan, particularly its increase over the past few years. According to the Center for Disease Control, a person is considered obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI) is 30 or above while a person is considered overweight if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9.

Michigan’s obesity rate was been increasing since 1990, according to America’s Health Rankings (part of the United Health Foundation). Since 1990 the obesity rate has increased 17.6%. The year 2011 was the highest with 31.7%; in 1990 it was documented at 14.1%.

Of the 11 Midwest states Michigan is ranked the highest for its obesity rate at 31 percent. Indiana is ranked second with an obesity rate at 30.8 percent,  and Missouri came in third at 30.3 percent.

Michigan’s obesity rate was been increasing since 1990, according to America’s Health Rankings (part of the United Health Foundation). Since 1990 the obesity rate has increased 17.6 percent. The year 2011 was the highest with 31.7 percent; in 1990 it was documented at 14.1 percent.

The above chart shows the number of documented conditions, often associated with obesity, in the year 2010.  Hypertension and arthritis had the highest number of document cases, both at 1.9 million; obesity related cancers was the lowest at 150,809.

The above chart shows the percentage of obese children and adolescents according to the most recent studies by various organizations. The 10-17 year old age range, which is the widest range presented in the chart, had the highest obesity rate at 30.6 percent in 2007.

The number of obese Michigan residents with diabetes increased from 1995 to 2007. Then, in 2007 it began to level out. In 1995 35.2 percent of those with diabetes were obese; by 2007 that number reached 58.3 percent, and in 2010 it was 57.7 percent.

In the future, we will examine data about obesity in Detroit and the suburbs.