Study Finds Iowans Fattest in Nation

Iowans are fatter than the rest of the nation and are more likely to smoke, a new study shows. Their blood pressure and cholesterol are also above the national norm.

Those are among the findings in a new health “fact book” prepared by the Iowa Department of Public Health, a study released as officials opened a conference at Drake University on health issues facing the state.

The new study is designed to assess the health behavior of Iowans. It’s based on 1995 data and looks at behaviors ranging from seat-belt use to having health insurance.

The most obvious behavior is not pushing away from the dinner table. The study said 31.6% of Iowans are overweight, based on a gender-specific body-mass index. That’s compared to a national median of 28.7%, the study said.

In addition, 23.2% of Iowans smoke, slightly above the national median of 22.4%. That’s a change from previous comparisons; smoking rates in Iowa traditionally have been below the national average.

The study shows that smoking rates in Iowa have declined, but not as fast as in the rest of the country. The state figures are fueled by a growing number of young smokers, a troubling long-term health trend.