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Facts about County-Level Estimates of Diagnosed Diabetes and Obesity, 2007

Findings

For the first time ever, estimates of obesity are available for all 3,141 counties or small areas such as boroughs and townships in the United States. The diabetes estimates are updated with 2007 data. To see county-level estimates of obesity and diagnosed diabetes, visit http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/.

  • County-level estimates of age-adjusted rates of diagnosed diabetes range from 3.7% to 15.3 % in the United States.
  • County-level estimates of age-adjusted rates of obesity range from 12.4% to 43.7% in the United States.
  • Among the counties on the high end and low end of estimated diagnosed diabetes and obesity rates are—
Diabetes—High end
Greene County, Alabama
Holmes County, Mississippi
Jefferson County, Mississippi
Lowndes County, Alabama
Perry County, Alabama
Diabetes—Low end
Boulder County, Colorado
Gallatin County, Montana
Los Alamos County, New Mexico
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Summit County, Utah

 
Obesity—High end
Dallas County, Alabama
Greene County, Alabama
Holmes County, Mississippi
Humphreys County, Mississippi
Jefferson County, Mississippi
Obesity—Low end
Boulder County, Colorado
Routt County, Colorado
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Summit County, Colorado
Summit County, Utah

The Analysis

  • The estimates for diagnosed diabetes and obesity were derived using Census and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.
  • This study uses 2006–2008 data from BRFSS, an ongoing, state-based, random-digit–dialed telephone survey of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 18 years and older. The analysis is based on self-reported data.

New Data Can Help Pave the Way to Reduce Burden

  • These data are important to help address the burden of diabetes and obesity.
  • The county-level estimates help identify counties with high estimated numbers and percentages of people diagnosed with diabetes and obesity.
  • County-level diabetes and obesity estimates can be used to maximize use of existing resources for diabetes management and prevention efforts, including health policy and direct care for both diabetes and obesity.
  • Combined with other resources, these data can assist in the allocation of funds to help areas hardest hit with diabetes and obesity. This focused attention may help reduce rates of complications caused by diabetes and obesity, such as heart disease, stroke, and some cancers, as well as specific complications of diabetes such as kidney disease, blindness, and lower-limb amputations.

The Cost of Obesity and Diabetes in the United States

  • The medical costs of obesity were as high as $147 billion in 2008.
  • The medical costs of diabetes were $116 billion in 2007.

U.S. Rates of Obesity and Diabetes

  • The proportion of U.S. adults who are obese was 26.1% in 2008.
  • In 2007, nearly 8% of the population, or about 24 million people, had diabetes. Of these, 5.7 million were undiagnosed.

County-Level Map for Diabetes and Obesity

County-Level Map for Diabetes and Obesity illustrating the Counties in top 2 and bottom 2 quintiles for both diabetes and obesity

For Additional Information

For more information on diabetes and preventing the disease, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes.

To learn more about CDC′s efforts in the fight against obesity or for more information about nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight, visit www.cdc.gov/obesity/index.html.

 
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