Kentucky's Obesity Rate Grows for Third Straight Year

A report released today says more Kentuckians are becoming obese. The state’s obesity rate is just over 28-percent, and that number has increased over the last three years. A study released today by Trust for America’s Health ranks Kentucky the seventh most obese state in the country, with Indiana ranked 11th. Mississippi tops the list.Trust for America’s Health Executive Director Dr. Jeff Levi says in addition to individual health risks, obesity can affect a state’s economic well-being."States that have higher obesity rates tend to have less healthy workforces and higher health care costs," says Levi. "That’s going to make potential employers think twice about whether they’re going to locate a new plant, for example, in a particular state."Levi says data for the report was gathered by the Centers for Disease Control in a telephone survey. He says their goal is to start a national movement to improve the health of the country.