Obesity is linked with greater COVID-19 risk. | Unsplash
Obesity is linked with greater COVID-19 risk. | Unsplash
During the pandemic, people in Iowa have gained more weight, causing the obesity rate to rise.
In 2019, Iowa’s obese population was 34%. In 2020, it rose to 36.5%, according to Yahoo News.
Ten years ago, the obesity rate in Iowa was 29%, according to Yahoo News.
"This is an #obesity #pandemic that #COVID is hitting the hardest," Twitter user HumblyMyBrain said in a tweet. "And, the measures we are taking to fight COVID is making the obesity crisis and other #degenerative #diseases worse. We need to consider the long game & bigger problems."
Nationally, childhood obesity also accelerated during the pandemic, according to KCCI News.
Last August, 22% of children and teens were considered obese, according to KCCI. The year before, it was 19%.
Physicians say this is concerning because obesity is linked to a number of health complications, according to Yahoo News. These health issues range from heart disease to increased risk of COVID-19 hospitalization.
Those in food deserts are more likely to struggle for nutritional food, according to Yahoo News. These "deserts" are apparent in both urban and rural areas.
Bblack men had the highest obesity rates in Iowa last year, Yahoo News reported. This rate was 45% among African American adults.
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