Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Jon Collins

Minnesota keeps obesity rates lower than neighboring states

Obesity testing
In this photo from January 2010, Paris Woods has her waist measured as she takes part in a 20-month obesity prevention study at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. According to a new report, Minnesota has been able to keep obesity rates in the state steady compared to neighboring states.
M. Spencer Green | AP 2010

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Minnesota has been able to keep obesity rates in the state steady compared to neighboring states, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health.

The report, released this week, highlighted that Minnesota has kept its obesity rate below 26 percent since 2010, while states like Iowa and North Dakota have seen rates climb above 30 percent, according to a health department analysis of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which surveys 400,000 Minnesotans a year.

The agency estimates that the lower obesity rates saved the state about $265 million in medical costs as of 2013 and healthier weights for 18,600 Minnesotans on state-funded health plans could save taxpayers about $9 million annually.

U.S. and Regional Obesity Rates
Data source: CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Ed Ehlinger argued the state's success in keeping obesity rates from growing is tied to investments provided by the Statewide Health Improvement Program, which the state House of Representatives has proposed cutting the program in the 2016-2017 budget.

"The thing that separates Minnesota from the states that are bordering us is we have the Statewide Health Improvement Program," Ehlingher said. "We've been looking at local policies and state policies that will get people to move, get people to eat better, and to people to stop smoking or not start smoking."

The program was created in 2008 and provides grants to cities, counties and tribes for projects like farmers markets, recreational trails and smoking prevention programs, among others. The health department says projects funded by the program in the most recent rounds of funding have included 3,100 partnerships with community groups, farmers and schools.

Funding for the program has fluctuated. It fell from $47 million in funding during the program's first two years to just $15 million before bouncing back to the current funding rates of $35 million for the current two-year cycle.