A report released by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services states that obesity in Alaska costs nearly $459 million each year.
Alaska Obesity Prevention and Control Program Manager Karol Fink broke down some of the obesity related costs.
Fink: “We know its about $1400-$1500 per adult individual in the state of Alaska for medical costs each year, so I guess that’s our per-capita costs.”
The department compiled the report stating “The causes for the rapid rise of overweight and obesity are multiple and varied, and no single strategy alone will reduce obesity and its associated health consequences.”
Rates of obesity have more than doubled among Alaskan adults, from 13% in 1991 to 28% in 2012, and currently only 34% are at a healthy weight.
The report states that 3 out of 10 or 26% of Alaskan high school students are either overweight or obese and only 21% get the recommended daily amount of daily physical activity.
Among Alaskan 3 year olds, 40% are either overweight or obese.
Fink commented on the report stating that the most important health issue facing Alaskan youth was obesity and related risk factors by 45% of Alaskan adults.
Fink: “I mean we do know that childhood obesity is the predominant public health threat facing our generation right now, 2 out of 3 adults in Alaska are obese and for kids about 1 out of every 3 Alaskan children are overweight or obese.”
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District 36% of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students were overweight or obese in 2011-2012
To read the extensive report, click here.
