This measure reflects the percentage of Utah adults (age-adjusted) who have a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported height and weight. 

Adults who have obesity, when compared with adults who are at a healthy weight, are more likely to have a decreased quality of life and an increased risk to develop serious health conditions, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea and breathing problems, some cancers, and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Weight stigma, or discrimination and stereotyping based on an individual’s weight, may also negatively influence psychological and physical health. The costs associated with obesity and obesity-related health problems are huge. One study estimated the medical costs of obesity to be $342.2 billion (in 2013 dollars). Beyond direct medical costs, the indirect costs of decreased productivity tied to obesity are estimated at $8.65 billion each year among U.S. workers.

Statistical significance for this measure was determined by comparing the confidence intervals (listed in the comment) of each year to the year before. If the confidence intervals overlapped the change was not considered significant.

National data: The target value is the national age-adjusted percent of adults who are obese based on the U.S. BRFSS national data. 

Data sources: 

• Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (https://ibis.health.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/result/brfss/LandlineCellAgeAdj5_BMI/BMI.html)

America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2022.

Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more and is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. It is a chronic disease that can have many causes, including genetics, physical environment, dietary and activity behaviors, and early life influences. Adults who have obesity are at an increased risk of other health conditions and diseases, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, breathing problems, stroke, gallbladder disease, and osteoarthritis. The economic impacts of obesity include an estimated $173 billion in annual medical care costs. While there is no single solution to addressing obesity, state and local organizations, communities, and individuals can create environments that support healthy lifestyles. This includes healthy eating, active living in community settings, and implementing early care and education policies. Physical activity improves general physical and mental health, effective disorders such as depression and anxiety, increases the quality of life and independent living among the elderly, and reduces the risk of some cancers and chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other compounds that may help prevent many chronic diseases. Those who eat more generous amounts of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthful diet are likely to have a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke, other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Fruits and vegetables also help people to achieve and maintain a healthy weight because they are low in calories and fat and have high fiber and water density.

While rates of obesity have stayed relatively the same in Utah since 2021, the Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program continues its efforts to improve the health of residents in the state. This program focuses on staff and partners working together to address the social determinants of health, advancing health equity, and increasing policy, systems, and environmental changes. HEAL works in many different sectors across the state, including schools, worksites, communities, healthcare, and childcare. HEAL encourages schools to adopt the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model, which promotes students to be physically active for 60 minutes a day through school, home, and community activities and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting academic and health success for students. HEAL provides toolkits and other resources for employers interested in implementing wellness programs and promoting healthy food access and physical activity on site. They partner with worksites, community-based organizations, and local health departments to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in worksites and community settings. HEAL also works with local health departments to partner with cities and counties within their jurisdictions to foster a built environment that encourages physical activity. HEAL engages with health care systems to establish community clinical linkages to support individuals at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension to engage with lifestyle change programs such as chronic disease self-management and diabetes prevention programs. HEAL works with state and local partners through the Childcare Obesity Prevention workgroup and TOP Star endorsement program, which aims to improve the nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding policies and environments to achieve obesity prevention best practices in childcare centers and homes.