Another report on obesity, more depressing news: The number of Alaskans joining the ranks of the overweight or obese has increased an average of about 1 percent a year since 1991, says a new analysis produced by the state Department of Health and Social Services.
Adult Alaskans with weight problems grew from 49 percent being above normal weight in 1991 to 66 percent in 2007.
The new state analysis gives details of some consequences of that weight gain:
• Obese adults are twice as likely as those with normal weight to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. More than a third of obese Alaskans get that diagnosis, versus 15 percent of normal-weight people.
• If you're obese, you are six times more likely to suffer from diabetes (other than the type pregnant women sometimes get) than normal-weight adults. Two percent of normal-weight Alaskans get diabetes compared with 13 percent of obese Alaskans.
• Obese Alaskans are twice as likely as normal-weight people to say their health is fair or poor instead of good or excellent.
The state used body mass indexes -- a calculation taking into account weight and height -- to determine whether people are considered normal weight, overweight or obese.
The report says some Alaskans are more likely to be overweight and obese than others. Among those with the highest levels of obesity are Alaska Natives, women with household incomes of $15,000 or less and women who don't finish high school.
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