post by Bill Gardner
The CDC presents maps showing the increase in US of obesity (that is, Body Mass Index of 30 or higher). There is a well-done animated map. The news is all bad: In 1985, the prevalence of obesity in every state was < 15%. In 2010, the prevalence of obesity in every state was >= 20% and in twelve states it was greater than 30%.
They also provided data on the age-adjusted prevalences of physical activity, obesity, and diabetes in 3141 US counties. The CDC mapped these data, and the maps are similar to several that I have presented here recently. So I will take the opportunity to show you the data another way. The first graph shows the correlation between the age-adjusted percentage of county residents who were physically inactive and the age-adjusted percentage who were obese (r = 0.745).
Next, let's look at the association between the age-adjusted rate of physical inactivity and the age-adjusted rate of diagnosed diabetes. Again, there is a strong, roughly linear relationship (r = 0.737).
Finally, let's look at the association between obesity and diabetes by county. Again, there is a substantial correlation (r = 0.741).
In summary, county-level data show a strong association among these variables. I assume that they each cause each other simultaneously, and many other causal factors also affect each of these. Nevertheless, even these simple data justify public health efforts to prevent inactivity, obesity, and diabetes.
Thanks to Austin Frakt for catching a major typo!
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