SC Young People rank 2nd Nationally in Obesity

Obesity is a growing health concern in South Carolina and now a new report finds that the rate of obesity among the state’s young people ranks second in the nation while adults rank 10th nationally among the states. The Associated Press reports that the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that more than 21% of young people in South Carolina between ages 10 and 17 are considered obese. Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat compared to lean body mass. The report also found that South Carolina’s adult obesity rate is now almost 32%, which is up from 25% in 2004. The obesity rate for South Carolina residents between ages 45 and 64 is 37%.