LAFAYETTE, La. (NEWS 15) — Lafayette ranks as the sixth most unhealthy city in the United States, according to a new study examining health factors across the country’s 100 most populated cities.
The study found that 40% of U.S. adults are obese. Louisiana is the third heaviest state at 39%, trailing only West Virginia and Mississippi.
The research measured more than just obesity rates. It also examined cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease across all age groups.
Researchers looked at physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable consumption. The study also considered city accessibility for physical activity and health education.
The top 25 most unhealthy cities are concentrated in the Southern United States. New Orleans ranked 16th, Baton Rouge ranked 10th, and Shreveport ranked eighth.
Lafayette’s obesity rate is about 6% lower than the national average. However, the city has 2% more diabetes and 3% more hypertension than the national average.
Life expectancy in Lafayette is about 74 years, which is 2.4 years less than the national average. Lafayette residents are slightly less obese than those in other Louisiana cities, but the city is more unhealthy when including other risk factors.
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