Two-Thirds Of Oklahomans Could Be Obese By 2030, New Study Says

The number of obese adults in Oklahoma is on track to reach 66.4 percent by 2030. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2011, 31.1 percent of adults in the state were obese.

Nationally, by 2030, 13 states could have adult obesity rates above 60 percent; 39 states could have rates above 50 percent, and all 50 states could have rates above 44 percent.

The report, "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012" was released Tuesday by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

At 918CrossFit, people are pushing towards all types of goals, from packing on more muscle to shedding the pounds.

"I pay attention to the scale a little bit, but I try not to, too much," said Chandler resident, Chevy LaGere.

LaGere does CrossFit, he said, because he wants to be healthy and not become a statistic.

Oklahoma is well on the way to being one of 13 states with an adult obesity rate above 60 percent by 2030.

"[It is] shocking, but also, not to say it isn't surprising, but we get into these habits of living in excess with our food and we live pretty sedentary lifestyles here," said Emily Smith.

Emily Smith owns 918CrossFit with her husband, Harley.

140 people work out there every day and they all hear the same message.

"Your body is built in the kitchen," Smith said. "What we do with it in the gym or outside is a great benefit, and you can really do more with it if your nutrition is on track.

Overall, Oklahomans' nutrition is not on track, at the moment.

The report states the number of obese adults, along with related disease rates and health care costs, is on course to increase dramatically in Oklahoma over the next 20 years.

The report says over the next 20 years, obesity in Oklahoma could contribute to:

• 512,801 new cases of type 2 diabetes
• 1,081,186 new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke
• 969,830 new cases of hypertension
• 620,784 new cases of arthritis
• 147,073 new cases of obesity-related cancer

By 2030, obesity-related health care costs in Oklahoma could climb by 10.8 percent.

The report says if BMIs [Body Mass Index] were lowered by 5 percent, Oklahoma could save 7.2 percent in health care costs, which would equate to savings of $7,444,000,000 by 2030.

The number of Oklahoma residents who could be spared from developing new cases of major obesity-related diseases includes:

• 110,522 people spared from type 2 diabetes
• 92,323 from coronary heart disease and stroke
• 77,423 from hypertension
• 44,816 from arthritis
• 7,128 from obesity-related cancer

The full report with state rankings in all categories is available on TFAH's website at www.healthyamericans.org/