Track Obesity in America Faster and More Frequently

Guest blog from Gallup.com Associate Editor Elizabeth Mendes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new report Tuesday on state-level obesity rates. Gallup also published its latest findings on obesity by state on Tuesday. There is one key difference. Gallup’s obesity data encompass surveys from January-June 2010 while the CDC findings are based on data collected in 2009.

The bad news -- Gallup and the CDC both find obesity on the rise across the country.

The good news -- Gallup tracks obesity daily and reports national data at least once per quarter, state-level findings twice a year, and metro area statistics annually.

By monitoring obesity more frequently and publishing findings faster, Gallup data allow leaders to keep a closer and more consistent watch on obesity levels. In turn, federal, state, and local stakeholders can know sooner the results of policies and programs aimed at reducing obesity, react more quickly to unsuccessful efforts, and boost investment in strategies that are working.

You can review Gallup’s state-level obesity findings here.

Gallup will publish obesity by state data for all of 2010 in early 2011.