Alexandra Bowie Consulting

The Trust for America's Health has published a new report called "F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012." Brian Fung of the Atlantic writes that according to the report, at present rates, at least half of Americans in 39 states will be obese. The map above? That's a projection, based on present rates, showing which states will have an obese population of 50% or morein 2030. Because trends might change, here's a somewhat less depressing map showing 2011 obesity rates (from the Trust for America's Health):

The Trust for America's Health has an interactive map that allows you to compare obesity rates in 2030 if BMI is reduced 5%, and obesity rates in 2030 if there's no change. And you can get the full report here.

What's the consequence? The Trust for America's Health states that if we can succeed in reducing adult obesity, we will lower disease rates and health care costs:

If BMIs were lowered, the number of Americans who could be spared from developing major obesity-related diseases could range from:

• Type 2 diabetes: 14,389 in Alaska to 796,430 in California;
• Coronary heart disease and stroke: 11,889 in Alaska to 656,970 in California;
• Hypertension: 10,826 in Alaska to 698,431 in California;
• Arthritis: 6,858 in Wyoming to 387,850 in California; and
• Obesity-related cancer: 809 in Alaska to 52,769 in California.

And nearly every state could save between 6.5 percent and 7.9 percent in health care costs. This could equate to savings ranging from $81.7 billion in California to $1.1 billion in Wyoming. Florida, the only state that would save less than 6.5 percent in health care costs, could save 2.1 percent or $34 billion.

It's, well, food for thought.