Texas is Fat, Getting Fatter
By: Laura Kellerman
Updated: January 29, 2009
Texas is fat and getting fatter, according to a study released today by the Texas Health Institute and Methodist Heath Ministries. The study projects an estimated 14.6 million Texans will be obese by 2040; equaling 42 percent of the projected population.Taylor County is projected to increase in the rate of adult obesity by 38 percent in the next 30 years, while Brown County's obesity rate is expected to increase by 41 percent.
Much of the projections have to do with how the demographic makeup will change in each Texas county by 2040. The Hispanic population projected to become the majority by 2027, and the obesity rate among Hispanics is expected to increase by 35%.
“The rates of obesity among Latinos and among the elderly are staggering and these are the fastest growing populations in our state," Camille D. Miller, CEO of Texas Health Institute, said in a press release. "The consequences for our health care system in treating the resulting complications of obesity will be a great concern if we do not act now with effective prevention efforts.”
Texas is ranked 14th in the nation for its obesity rate.
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