SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Move over, West Virginia, there’s a new chunk in the Midwest with some weighty issues. According to a new report from the Daily Mail, Michigan is packing on the pounds, and with a 35.4% adult obesity rate, it’s safe to say that our state is struggling to keep the scales in check. As the nation tips into unprecedented levels of obesity, Michigan’s contribution to this less-than-glorious trend is far from flattering.

Saginaw County ranks as the most obese, according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, with an obesity rate of 39.7% of adults. Other counties at the top of the list with high obesity rates, according to Rural Health Information Hub, include Monroe, Genesee, Calhoun and Muskegon. These counties struggle with high rates of obesity, driven by factors like limited access to nutritious foods and low levels of physical activity.

MORE NEWS: Crews Clean Up Styrofoam Along Lake Superior

The Research Council also reports that obesity doesn’t just affect adults. While one in every three Michigan adults are obese, one in eight children are the same. Their factors for being obese are often the same as adults but also include a lack of Physical Education in schools.

Big bodies, big problems.

According to recent CDC data, America is fatter than it’s ever been, and Michigan isn’t pulling any punches in keeping up with this dubious achievement. Twenty-three states have now hit an adult obesity rate of over 35%, with Michigan landing right in the thick of it – literally. Before 2013, not a single state had such high obesity numbers. Fast forward to 2023 and we wind up waddling past the threshold with little to show for it but tighter pants and increasing health concerns.

The Midwest, including Michigan, is home to some of the most alarming obesity rates. While we’re not leading the pack like West Virginia’s stunning 41.2% obesity rate, 35.4% still puts us in an uncomfortable spot. And as anyone in the mitten state can tell you, this isn’t just about carrying a little extra insulation for those harsh winters.

Is Michigan on the fast food express?

What’s contributing to Michigan’s obesity surge? Experts point to a cocktail of factors – poor diet, lack of physical activity, and economic stress are just a few of the reasons we’re putting on the pounds. Sedentary lifestyles combined with the easy availability of cheap, unhealthy food are wreaking havoc on waistlines statewide.

The CDC emphasizes that obesity isn’t just about willpower. Factors like access to nutritious food and safe environments for physical activity play a critical role. In Michigan, as in many states, there’s a disparity in areas with access to healthier options and other areas where fast food reigns supreme. In areas like northern lower Michigan, finding fresh produce is much easier than downstate with an abundance of farmers markets and food options from local farmers.

In urban areas, choices are more limited. Add in a family with a busy schedule and it’s very tempting to hit the drive-thru instead of whipping up a chicken and kale salad and cutting up a watermelon for the family.

Potatoes for days – but at what cost?

MORE NEWS: Train Crash Kills One in Kalamazoo

Michigan’s obesity epidemic isn’t just about lifestyle though; it’s also about economics. Healthy food options usually cost more than most non-healthy food options. And as high as fast food prices are these days, it’s often even more expensive for a family to cook a healthy meal at home – often more than a quick trip to McDonald’s or Taco Bell.

When you’re feeding a family on a budget, the drive-thru starts to look like a cheaper, quicker option. Sadly, this comes at the cost of expanding waistlines and skyrocketing health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems.

Dr. Karen Hacker from the CDC says that building healthier communities is essential to combating this crisis. More access to spaces for physical activity and affordable, nutritious food is critical. But until we start trading fries for fresh produce and getting up off the couch, the only thing growing in Michigan will continue to be the size of our pants.

Fat but not forgotten.

The obesity problem is complex. It’s not as simple as hitting the gym or cutting carbs. Genes, medications, poor sleep, stress, and even your gut microbiome can affect weight gain. For Michigan to shed its “fat state” reputation, it’ll take more than just public health initiatives – it requires a cultural shift.

While we may not be in the top four “fattiest” states just yet (West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana currently hold that honor), we are not far behind. Michigan needs to start taking its health seriously before we find ourselves in the running for that less-than-coveted spot.