New York is the fourth most populous state in the United States and has a diverse population of nearly 20 million people. Obesity is a growing health concern across the country and New York is no exception. So what do the statistics show regarding obesity levels in New York?
What is the obesity rate in New York?
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the adult obesity rate in New York is 25.5% as of 2021. This means around 1 in 4 adults in New York is considered obese, based on having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
The adult obesity rate in New York has steadily increased over the past decades, from around 10% in 1990 to over 25% currently. However, the rate of increase has slowed in recent years compared to other states.
How does New York’s obesity rate compare to other states?
New York’s adult obesity rate of 25.5% is lower than the national average obesity rate of 31.2% across the United States. This ranks New York as the 46th most obese state, meaning there are only 5 states with lower obesity rates.
The most obese states are predominantly found in the South and Midwest regions, such as West Virginia, Mississippi and Alabama which have obesity rates over 35%. States with the lowest obesity rates under 25% include Colorado, Hawaii and Massachusetts.
| State | Adult Obesity Rate |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 39.7% |
| Mississippi | 39.5% |
| Oklahoma | 36.8% |
| Arkansas | 35.7% |
| Alabama | 35.1% |
| New York | 25.5% |
| Hawaii | 24.8% |
| California | 24.8% |
| Massachusetts | 24.6% |
| Colorado | 23.8% |
As the table shows, New York ranks near the bottom nationally for obesity rate, though still significantly higher than the states with the very lowest obesity prevalence.
How does obesity prevalence vary demographically in New York?
Obesity rates differ across demographic groups within New York:
- By gender – Male obesity rate is 28.6% vs 23.2% for females
- By ethnicity – Highest rates seen among Black (32.5%) and Hispanic (31.9%) populations compared to Whites (24.3%) and Asians (12.6%).
- By education – Those with a college degree have lower obesity rates around 20%, vs over 30% for those with a high school education or less.
- By income – Obesity prevalence is nearly 35% for low-income adults earning under $25,000 annually, compared to around 20% for high-income over $75,000.
Additionally, obesity rates tend to be higher in rural upstate New York compared to the New York City metropolitan area.
What are the main causes of high obesity in New York?
Obesity is a complex health condition with many contributing factors. Some of the key drivers of high obesity levels in New York include:
Diet and Nutrition
– High calorie diets with large portion sizes
– High intake of processed and fast foods
– Low consumption of fruits, vegetables and fiber
Physical Inactivity
– Sedentary lifestyles with minimal regular exercise
– Reliance on cars rather than walking/biking for transportation
– More screen time, less outdoor activity
Food Environment
– Easy access to cheap fast food and junk food options
– Food deserts in low-income urban neighborhoods
– High density of fast food outlets and convenience stores
Socioeconomic Factors
– Poverty resulting in inability to afford healthy foods
– Less education leading to poor diet choices
– Cultural values and preferences around food
What health problems are caused by obesity in New York?
The high prevalence of obesity in New York contributes to increased rates of various obesity-related health conditions such as:
Type 2 Diabetes
– Around 1.6 million adults in New York have diabetes, 90-95% being type 2 diabetes linked to obesity.
Heart Disease
– Obesity is a major modifiable risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in New York.
Cancer
– Being obese increases the risk for various cancers including breast, colon and others.
High Cholesterol
– Obesity typically leads to higher LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Hypertension
– Up to 85% of hypertension cases are linked to being overweight.
Osteoarthritis
– Excess weight puts mechanical strain on joints leading to degenerative joint disease.
Sleep Apnea
– Fat deposits in the neck and throat obstruct breathing during sleep.
Additionally, obesity costs New York over $11.8 billion per year in direct medical care costs alone according to NY State Department of Health estimates.
What steps can New York take to reduce obesity rates?
Some initiatives New York can implement to lower obesity prevalence across the state include:
- Improving health education and promotion of healthy lifestyles in schools and workplaces.
- Increasing access to affordable, nutritious foods through policies helping eliminate food deserts in low-income areas.
- Boosting physical activity by making communities more walkable/bikeable and enhancing school-based fitness programs.
- Implementing soda/sugar-sweetened beverage taxes to reduce consumption.
- Restricting marketing and availability of unhealthy foods and beverages to children.
- Covering obesity prevention and treatment services through Medicaid and health insurance reforms.
Conclusion
In summary, New York has high obesity prevalence affecting over 1 in 4 adults statewide, although rates remain below the national average. Obesity leads to substantial preventable health problems and costs in New York. Continued focus needs to be placed on healthy eating promotion, active living, and addressing socioeconomic factors driving high obesity in order to create a healthier, more active population across the state.