HOPING TO SAVE MONEY, STATES TACKLE OBESITY

Cities and states have a vested interest in tackling obesity, which affects nearly 80 million American adults. Obesity is a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and can cause a host of chronic health issues, from diabetes to high blood pressure to cancer. Across the country, obesity-related health problems cost $147 billion to $210 billion each year. Obesity is also associated with diminished productivity on the job and to work absenteeism costing the country $4.3 billion per year. Governors in Arkansas, New York, Georgia, and Tennessee have all announced plans to combat high rates of obesity. Most look to increase physical activity and access to healthy food for schoolchildren. Georgia, for example, initiated a partnership with the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves that includes an app to assess fitness and uses social media to get its message across.

Source: Stateline, 11/2/15, State Anti-Obesity Efforts