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Kentucky Ranks as 5th 'Fattest' State in the U.S.

CREDIT FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS/ FIT APPROACH

Kentucky has earned the unhealthy distinction of being the fifth “fattest” state in the U.S.  

reportfrom the consumer website WalletHub shows that only Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and South Carolina have a higher percentage of obese or overweight residents than Kentucky.

The Bluegrass State ranks second in the nation for the number of residents with high cholesterol, fourth for diabetes, and fifth for high blood pressure.

Bonnie Hackbarth is a spokeswoman for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. She says creating a healthier state starts with consistent health care.

“Part of the answer in improving Kentucky’s health is getting more Kentuckians insured, so that they’ll take advantage of the kind of preventive services that will improve our health overall.”

Hackbarth says creating a healthier state has to include policies that make it easier for residents to make better choices.

“Making healthier food choices in vending machines, having shared use agreements with local school districts and physical fitness facilities, so that community members can use them after school hours, things like that can go a long way in making a difference.”

The ranking lists Utah as the state with the fewest overweight and obese residents.

The complete report is at https://wallethub.com/edu/fattest-states/16585/#main-findings

Rhonda Miller began as reporter and host for All Things Considered on WKU Public Radio in 2015. She has worked as Gulf Coast reporter for Mississippi Public Broadcasting, where she won Associated Press, Edward R. Murrow and Green Eyeshade awards for stories on dead sea turtles, health and legal issues arising from the 2010 BP oil spill and homeless veterans.
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