Health Secretary Says New Mexico Must Address Serious Obesity Problem

In response to Trust for America’s Health “F as in Fat” report released earlier this month, Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil, MD, said New Mexico needs to continue to strengthen its obesity-prevention efforts to address a serious problem with obesity.

According to the report:

· Mississippi had the highest obesity rate, 32.5 percent, for the fifth year in a row
· New Mexico ranks as the 36th most obese at 24.6% for adults.
· New Mexico fares worse when it comes to children. 32.7% are either overweight or obese, the 19th highest total in the country.

In the report, “F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009,” obesity-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid are likely to grow significantly as the Baby Boomer generation ages, because of the large number of people in this population, the high rate of obesity and obesity’s negative health impact. See F as in Fat 2009