Here & Now

Fast Facts: Obesity in Wisconsin

Frederica Freyberg:

In tonight’s look ahead, a new interactive tool developed by the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, along with other partners, has mapped the state’s levels of obesity down to the zip code. Multimedia reporter Marisa Wojcik explains more.

Marisa Wojcik:

Health researchers are calling the big picture of obesity in Wisconsin an epidemic. The Wisconsin Health Atlas is a new searchable map that compiles health data from systems across the state. It shows rates of obesity across various factors, but most importantly by zip code. The study’s researchers are hoping that this tailored data will lead to targeting resources towards the areas that need it most. Within the same county, there can be sharp contrasts between two zip codes that are right next to one another. For example, in Eau Claire County, the zip code 54701 has an average rate of obesity of about 40%. But the zip code right next door, 54742 has an average rate of about 48%. Researchers say that there is also a correlation between obesity and rural zip codes and there are a number of factors that contribute to this, including access to fresh, healthy food, time spent driving, quality health care and older populations. Statewide, the highest rates of obesity occur in people age 65 to 75, but it can start at infancy. 10% of Wisconsins children aged two to five are considered obese. This map is just a snapshot displaying data from 2015 to 2016. However, it’s more accurate than previous estimates because it’s using information from our electronic medical records. Until now, most maps only go by numbers on a county level. But this new map looks at pockets within counties, equipping health officials, governments and even school districts with a more detailed picture of their communities. For these and other fast facts, visit wpt.org.

Frederica Freyberg:

That was “Here and Now” producer Marisa Wojcik.