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I wish that the medical and insurance industries would treat obesity like the disease that it is. Case in point, over the last few weeks, I've met two different women who decided to go to Mexico for weight loss surgery. Why? Because it's around $7,000 there and can cost up to $30,000 if you have the procedure in Shreveport-Bossier City. I have a big problem with that. In fact, I'll go so far as to say that it's criminally shortsighted. Helping folks trim up before they are at risk for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc... would save us all money and an awful lot of heartache!

Louisiana Radio Network reports that Louisiana ranks 7th in the country for obesity. That means that two out of five adult residents in Louisiana are considered obese.

Citing research from Trust for America’s Health, Louisiana Radio Network says that Louisiana is one of 19 states in the country with an adult obesity rate over 35%. Our adult obesity rate is 39%. Just ten short years ago, no states had a rate over 35%. Furthermore, 22% of our youth are considered obese. So what are we going to do about it? That's a tough question because the problem has a ton of contributing factors like genetics, societal issues, and economics. Yep, it's sad but true. Healthy foods are more expensive than less nutritious meals... but only in the short term. The long-term effects can be much more expensive.

Overweight woman with weighing machine. Weight loss concept.
abadonian
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According to Wallethub.com, Louisiana has four cities in the top 20 of their list of 2022's Most Overweight and Obese Cities in the U.S.

I don't about you, but those results are pretty sobering. Sure, we love our food and drink in Louisiana, but with statistics like the ones Wallethub.com released, we should really be paying more attention to our health. According to their research, Shreveport-Bossier City is the 8th fattest metro area in the United States. News like that will certainly stop you in your tracks. Especially when you learn that Baton Rouge landed 10th on the list, Lafayette is ranked 12th, and the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area comes in 19th in the country. Clearly, we all need to be doing the 'Louisiana two-step' for some exercise.

Fat Man with Doctor in White Coat in Gray Room.
Creative Services, Getty Images
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Of course, Wallethub.com didn't just spit out that information without backup. They looked at a full spectrum of metrics including the rate of obesity/overweight, health consequences, food and fitness, and more. Let's take a look.

Source: WalletHub

However, the Shreveport-Bossier City metro is doing better. We were ranked 2nd in the country for obesity just four short years ago by Wallethub.com in 2018.

But, before you get too excited by our progress, know this. The Shreveport-Bossier City metro ranks 1st in the country when it comes to having the highest percentage of adults with high cholesterol.  It doesn't stop there. We also rank 2nd when it comes to the highest percentage of adults with high blood pressure and for the lowest consumption of fruit and vegetables.

In short, we're all in need of a nutritionist, a personal chef, a trainer, and a gym membership!

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