Obesity in Rural WI

Health researchers at UW-Madison have recently compiled a searchable map of obesity in America’s Dairyland by ZIP code, and the picture is alarming. Wisconsin is the first state with a detailed ZIP Code-level obesity map based on electronic health record data, meaning it is based on height and weight measurements taken when people are at their doctors’ offices, rather than self-reported heights and weights.   The "Obesity Map" allows people to search by ZIP Code to see how their neighborhood compares to others.

The rates for Lafayette County are not great.  On average, rural communities have higher rates of obesity than urban areas. Some of this difference is because rural residents tend to be older, have less education, and have less access to health care, factors that are commonly associated with higher obesity rates.  

Check out the "Obesity Map" to view your zipcode or to read the official report.