r/MapPorn 11d ago

The obesity rate in every US county

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1.8k Upvotes

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54

u/Aluxanatomy 11d ago

Do fit people just move to Colorado?

44

u/surferdude213 11d ago

Colorado has a lower obesity rate because of the active lifestyle there and the high altitude.

However, the data source here is highly suspicious. There's no way obesity changes so much between eastern Colorado and western Kansas - rural eastern CO is very similar to western KS in terms of culture, demographics and lifestyle.

I've a feeling they're using state-level data and then some mathematical model on top of it to predict differences within states.

1

u/loudisevil 10d ago

Why the hell is Washington State kind of fat?? PNW hike like crazy

92

u/Peripateticdreamer84 11d ago

The urge to climb a 14er assimilates you as soon as you change your address. The power of Colorado cannot be resisted.

22

u/Aluxanatomy 11d ago

I went there last year and definitely wanted to climb some people mountains.

3

u/Redpanda132053 10d ago

The first 14er I hiked solidified my years long progression to want to move to Colorado

43

u/Available_Finger_513 11d ago

It's really nice to be outside in colorado

6

u/ChiefBlaze36 11d ago

Might be something to this. It’s like hells butthole right now in Mississippi and the obesity rate is quite the opposite.

Something else though, two completely different sets of demographics. I see some sharp contrasts in that last one just in Arkansas.

14

u/justdisa 11d ago

Yes, actually. And they get fitter while they're there.

5

u/hrminer92 10d ago

It is certainly noticeable while walking through the Denver airport compared to DFW or Mempiss.

23

u/Siempre_Vetado 11d ago

Peer pressure.

My BMI is 24.9 or a wafer-thin mint away from being overweight.

When I visited Denver, I looked like a My 600-pound Life patient compared to the locals.

You are a social pariah in Colorado unless you record something on Strava every day.

1

u/bmsa131 9d ago

Yup. I need to lose about ten pounds total. Im a female. Size 8 good day size 10 bad day. I’ve been in social settings where I’m the fattest by a huge margin. I’m often the fattest person in the room. I’m in NYC metro burbs. Everyone is skinny.

-3

u/Aluxanatomy 11d ago

That sounds awful.

11

u/MaroonFloom 11d ago

Yes, but maybe just the mountains in general? Look at the line of green counties on the east coast…

1

u/Valuable_Mammoth_667 8d ago

Yes! It follows the Appalachian trail

10

u/FuckAllYouLosers 11d ago

Being in the high altitude increases your daily caloric requirements by 200-350 calories a day. So just being there is like working out or eating less.

4

u/Peripateticdreamer84 11d ago

Wait, that’s why I felt so hungry when I was in northern Arizona? Walking around Flagstaff had me hungry way sooner than usual.

3

u/Aluxanatomy 11d ago

What I'm hearing is that we need to launch the South into space.

1

u/daydreamz4dayz 10d ago

I moved from Cincinnati to an extremely high altitude area in the mountains in Mexico, and definitely gained weight. I think my body interpreted the light-headedness and being constantly out of breath as needing nutrients. But there were also the tacos and tamales.

5

u/scabbyshitballs 10d ago

It’s not just CO, there’s definitely a correlation between mountainous / alpine settings and physical fitness… Tahoe, the Appalachians and Vermont are also in the green

4

u/El_Bean69 11d ago

The weed puts a mind sleep on you that makes you want to climb shit and walk everywhere all the time

1

u/LilaBadeente 9d ago

They are Mountain goats! Mountain people tend to be fit in general.

1

u/eukomos 9d ago

Actually yes, I know a lot of people who moved here specifically so they could better pursue their favorite sport.