Do you notice how much obesity varies by region?

[zagor]

I've noticed (talking about USA here) that the proportion of people who are grossly overweight seems quite different by region. Maybe because the weather is better here in California and people can get out year-round but it seems that obesity is much higher in parts of the Midwest and Southeast.

[slatyb]

It's a combination of opportunity, wealth, and culture. Fresh produce is expensive. In California, and in general along the west coast there is some social pressure to maintain a healthy weight. I think in less wealthy areas middle-aged obesity is common and generally accepted.

[exitseven]

itis a cultural thing. In Florida people ride bikes and rollerblade everywhere, People stay in shape and are healthier. In Maine teare is a high obesity rate and one of the highest percentages of smokers in the country. They also consume the greatest amount of Allen';s Coffee Brandy. It should be made the official state beverage.

[goaded]

Interesting. According to actual numbers, both Maine and Florida are ranked about the same, with hardly anything to distinguish their obesity rates, 29.1% and 28.4%, respectively, in 2020..

en.wikipedia.org/.../Obesity_in_the_United_States

Worst states (over 35%, low to high):
Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Iowa, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and West Virginia

Best (under 26%, low to high)
Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, California, Montana, Utah, New York, Massachusetts.

[exitseven]

@goaded I am surprised at thet although the only places in Florida I ever went to were more upscale communities where there were more younger people.

[zagor]

@goaded No surprises on those lists.

[slatyb]

There's more to Florida than Miami and Tampa.

[DryGermanGuy]

The rule of thumb has been for the longest time: The more conservative a U. S. state is, the less educated, less informed, poorer and unhealthier its inhabitants are.

[OneViewpoint]

Yeah, it’s not much of a surprise. In our rural, poverty infested Red States with poor education there is also poor nutrition, obesity, heart disease, alcoholism, and drug addiction. It has been this way for 250 years.

The American Dream is a lie for half our population. But those are the people who voted for tRump and Project 2025. They hate the government more than the billionaires who make their lives hell.

[WonderingManII]

Do you notice how much obesity varies by region? No.

[DrPepper12]

You'd be right!