About one in three Michiganders is classified as obese, and a report released by survey company WalletHub names two Michigan metro areas — Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, and Grand Rapids-Wyoming — in its 100 Fattest Cities in America list of 2016. The analysis includes the percentage of inactivity, amounts of fruits and vegetables consumed and, weight. Dietitian Pam Kelle says while survey results like this may accurately indicate a societal challenge, they can be harmful to individuals who are actively battling a weight problem. She says it’s important not to shame them. Kelle adds healthier choices start with small steps.
“Try to talk within the family unit about making small changes overall, and it might be meal by meal,” Kelle said. “It might be, ‘Let’s have dinner at home three times a week.’ But I think looking at your own plate and your habits, and thinking about hunger and fullness, little bitty changes can make a big difference.”
According to data from the CDC, nearly one-quarter of Michigan adults engage in no leisure-time physical activity. But on a positive note, the state ranked 17th among 50 states and D-C for obesity in 2014, a drop from fourth place in 1995.
