Iowa Ranks In Top 10 For Obesity

According to the latest data from the CDC, Iowa residents are hitting the leaderboards in a category that has nothing to do with high school wrestling or butter sculptures.

Recent stats from August 2021 to August 2023 show that nearly 38% of adults in Iowa are now classified as obese. That puts Iowa at number seven on the nationwide list. We aren’t just "big-boned" anymore; we’re officially one of the top ten heaviest states in the country.

Struggling With Obesity

Across the entire United States, about 40% of adults are struggling with obesity. It’s a massive American issue, but here in the Midwest, we’ve truly turned "husky" into an art form.

Nobody in Iowa ends up in the top ten by accident. Most of us were raised with a specific set of dinner table rules: clean your plate, never let food go to waste, and remember that there is always more in the fridge.

For many of us, "moderation" simply means having two helpings of cheesy potatoes instead of three. If you’ve ever had to preemptively unbutton your pants before the Thanksgiving pie even hits the table, you’re part of the club.

Are Iowa People Just Lazy?

Here is the real kicker: Iowans aren't lazy. We are out there coaching Little League, running farms, and shoveling snow that weighs more than a compact car. We stay moving, but the math eventually catches up.

You simply cannot out-work a diet of double steaks and heavy sides forever. While we love to joke about our love for the "Three Bs" (Beef, Beer, and Butter), the health consequences are getting serious. The CDC notes that these numbers are linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It’s all the stuff that makes your doctor give you that "disappointed parent" look during your annual checkup. We love our food, but it might be time to start loving our waistlines a little more.