[MMA News Now, July 1, 2010] Minnesota was revealed this week as the 32nd most obese state in the country.

The results were announced in the seventh annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010 report from the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The 2010 F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future report ranked all states and the District of Columbia according to their obesity ratings, with the No. 1 state, Mississippi, being the most obese. Results showed obesity increased in 28 states in the past year with specific troubles in racial and ethnic disparities. Colorado ranked the best out of all states.

Minnesota improved its ranking to 32nd compared to 31st in 2009.

But its childhood obesity rank got worse since it fell from 50th in 2009, to 48th in 2010.

Childhood obesity is a growing challenge requiring significant attention. There is also a disconnect between obesity rates and parental perceptions. A new poll found that 84 percent of parents believe their children are at a healthy weight, yet research shows that almost one-third of children and teens in America are overweight or obese.

The report offers recommendations for future actions which include:
• Support for obesity and disease-prevention programs through the new health reform law’s Prevention and Public Health Fund.
• Align federal polices and legislation with the goals of the forthcoming National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy.
• Expand commitment to community-based prevention programs initiated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
• Continue to invest in research and evaluation on nutrition, physical activity, obesity, and obesity-related health outcomes and associated interventions.

MMA Position
The Minnesota Medical Association, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, and the Minnesota Department of Health have recognized obesity as a preventable and treatable disease.

Physicians can help prevent and treat obesity by:
• Calculate your patient’s BMI during regular screening exams.
• Use ICSI Guidelines for preventing and treating obesity.
• Tell your patients that obesity can be treated.
• Provide access to medical nutrition, therapy, medications, or surgery.

Click here to learn more about the MMA and obesity.