Retail Food Access and Obesity Prevalence: Mapping Variation across the United States

Obesity has increased rapidly during the last few decades and is a significant risk factor for many chronic diseases, often resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality. The role of eating behaviors and individual food choices, as well as the growing array of clinical tools to reduce obesity at the individual level, has received extensive attention as public health researchers seek to understand why the rate of obesity in the US has escalated so rapidly in a relatively short period. But the focus on individual actions and tailored clinical management can obscure how the larger environment shapes the available choices and opportunities, particularly for those in communities where obesity is common. A central feature of that environment is the quality of food access.We explore how access to different types of retail food stores—which may in turn shape the foods that consumers choose—varies widely across the US, with particular attention to areas with higher rates of obesity.

Obesity across America: Geographic Variation in Disease Prevalence and Treatment Options

More than 4 in 10 adults in the US are affected by obesity, defined as experiencing an accumulation of body fat higher than what is considered healthy for a given height. Obesity is associated with increased risks for serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and various cancers. People of all genders, of all races and ethnicities, and in all geographic areas experience obesity.This report examines existing data and research to comprehensively describe the scope and prevalence of obesity and available obesity treatments in the US. We look at the current state-level prevalence of obesity and changes in state-level obesity prevalence from 2011 to 2020. We also examine current county-level obesity prevalence and which counties have the highest and lowest levels of obesity and related comorbidities. Then, we describe insurance coverage for four obesity treatment options (screening and counseling, nutritional counseling, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery) for four insurance plans (fee-for-service Medicaid, Medicaid managed care, state employee health plans, and state essential health benefits benchmark plans)