The great outdoors means great waistlines, too

Colorado Springs Gazette ^ | August 28 2007 | Melissa Cassutt

[Reagan Man]

Congratulations, Coloradans. You’re the least fat of them all.

A study released Monday says Colorado is the leanest state in the nation. Our 300 days of sunshine might have something to do with it.

Snow is one of few things that can stop Jay Langley and Bruce Selewacz from a lunch-hour game of tennis. And even then, they’re usually willing to shovel.

“It’s so pretty,” said Selewacz, who plays at the Memorial Park courts almost every day. “You’re doing the scenic thing and you don’t even realize you’re exercising.”

Thank you, mountains.

The study, from Trust for America’s Health, concluded Colorado has the lowest obesity rate in the nation, with 17.6 percent of the population classified as obese.

Mississippi took the top ranking, with 30.6 percent, followed by West Virginia, Alabama and Louisiana. South Carolina and Tennessee tied for fifth.

The study compared data from two U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveys that compared body mass index numbers collected over three years. Body mass index is a simple calculation comparing height and weight. Though Colorado ranked the lowest in the nation a second time, survey data showed the state’s obesity rate is rising, up from 16.9 percent last year.

Thirty-one states reported a rise in obesity rates; none reported a decline.

BMI ratings aren’t completely accurate, since muscle weighs more than fat, but body mass index is the most accurate and accepted method of calculating obesity in large demographics, said Dr. Bernadette Albanese, medical director of the El Paso County Department of Health & Environment.

“This is something that clearly has been trending for the past four, five, six years,” Albanese said.

Obesity in El Paso County has climbed to 20 percent from 7.1 percent in 1996, said Albanese, based on adjusted data from the report “Life, Death and Disease in El Paso County, Colorado.”

When you include people who are overweight, the numbers are more startling. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports that 54.9 percent of Coloradans are overweight or obese by the BMI chart.

Local schools and health officials have tried to combat the problem by offering health and wellness classes. In the past year, local employers have increased work-related health fairs, like cholesterol screenings and flu shot clinics, said Charlotte Waters, director of Memorial Hospital’s Health-Link, which offers community health and wellness classes.

Memorial Hospital has also partnered with the YMCA to create “Kid Fit,” a program that teaches children to eat right and exercise regularly. Though not specifically designed for overweight children, the program will likely prevent heavy adults, Waters said.

Local schools have also joined health efforts, many changing to whole grains in cafeterias and offering more fresh produce, said Kara Goff, administrative dietitian for District 11 schools. Federal mandates have required schools nationwide to adopt nutritional plans, often resulting in healthier lunch options and fewer vending machine distractions.

But locals say the key to keeping weight off is the great outdoors.

“The winters are easier here,” said Glenda Gehler, group exercise instructor at the downtown YMCA. “What do you do in Wisconsin? Drink beer and eat cheese curds, I guess.”

[Jaysun]

Congratulations, least fat Coloradans.

[r9etb]

Yup. You want to spend time outside here pretty much all year around. That’s the difference between a place like Colorado, and a place like Mississippi.

[svcw]

I agree. Southern California has about 360 days of sun shine...why am I not slimmer?

[GimpySadan]

The CDC’s BMI measurement is a joke. A little side note saying that it’s not entirely accurate because it muscle weighs more than fat doesn’t cover the discrepancy.

I’ve lifted weights and done other workouts for most of my adult life. I’m in much better condition than average, even though I do carry some extra weight now. Looking at the CDC BMI charts, I’d look like the crypt keeper if I got my weight below “overweight”.