Georgia needs to start a weight loss program.
And our area’s residents certainly should participate according to a 10-year survey recently released by BarBend.com.
The analysis by the world’s leading strength traning resource and fitness news outlet, was of data available by County Health Rankings comparing each county’s rate of obesity in 2012 to figures released for 2022.
The study found only one of Georgia’s 159 counties — Effingham — was not more obese in 2022 than in 2012. And it was only one percent less obese. The survey was nationwide.
“The data clearly shows that, despite the warnings from public health officials, our lifestyles are becoming more sedentary and as a nation, we are becoming more obese,” said Max Whiteside of BarBend.com in releasing the survey. “Obesity increases the risk of developing many diseases, and this is a crisis which is trending in the wrong direction.”
Expecially in Georgia and particularly in Ware, Pierce and Brantley counties.
According to the survey, Pierce County ranked 139th, Ware County 143rd, and Brantley County 149th. The increase was eight points for Pierce (29/37) and Ware (31/39), and nine for Brantley (29/38).
Effingham County’s percentage was 31 for 2022 after being 32 in 2012. All other Georgia counties increased at least one percent.
Only two of the counties contiguous with the local trio were in the top third of the state’s rankings — Wayne at No. 23 (32/35) and Glynn at No. 51 (27/32).
Joining Effingham as those with the least increase — all with one percent — were Burke, Elbert, Lincoln and Fannin. The bottom five counties, with increases between 11 and 13 percent, were Telfair (30/41), Wheeler (30/41), Clay (33/45), Jeff Davis (27/39) and Early (30/43).
Overall, Georgia ranked 29th among the 50 states with a five percent hike (28/33). The top five states were Florida, which was flat with 26 percent again, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington, with one percent each, and California with two percent.
The bottom five states were Kansas and North Dakota with six percent each, Arizona and West Virginia with seven percent each, and New Mexico with eight percent.
Two states dominated the best and worst of the county-by-county rankings. South Dakota had four of the healthiest five with Shannon topping the group at 10 percent followed by Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan, Alaska, at eight percent. The South Dakota counties of Edmunds, Hyde and Roberts were next with five percent each.
The old adage, “everything is bigger in Texas” was true with this 10-year survey as four of the bottom five counties were from the Longhorn State. Worst was Presidio, Texas, at 20 percent more obese.
Next-t0-last was Pennington, S.D., at 19 percent with Hidalgo and Starr, Texas, at 18 percent and Zavala, Texas, at 16 percent.
Health care professionals suggest if you’re thinking about beginning at weight loss program, consult your family physician for the best combination of diet and exercise to match with your current health.
Southeast
Georgia
County ’12/’22 Rank
•Wayne 32/35 (23)
•Glynn 27/32 (51)
•Camden 29/35 (76)
•Bacon 31/38 (106)
•Coffee 30/37 (110)
•Charlton 31/39 (129)
•Clinch 33/41 (131)
•Pierce 29/37 (139
•Ware 31/39 (143)
•Atkinson 29/38 (145)
•Brantley 29/38 (149)
Georgia’s county rankings are available at barbend.com/Georgia
