A recent study found that people in 33 out of the 39 Washington counties have become more overweight over the last 10 years, according to BarBend, an online strength training resource and fitness news outlet.
BarBend studied obesity levels throughout Washington state and data from County Health Ratings to see changes in obesity from 2012 to 2022.
County Health Ratings defines obesity levels as the percentage of those over 18 years old with a body mass index of 30 or higher.
As most Washington counties saw an increase in obesity levels, counties such as Benton, Cowlitz and King saw no change compared to 2012. Garfield and Lewis counties even saw decreases up to 4% in obesity levels.
Most Washington counties saw an increase in obesity levels.
Whatcom County had the highest increase in obesity levels, increasing 9% and having 33% of adult residents with a body mass index of 30 or more. Douglas County also had an increase of 9%, with an obesity level of 37%.
Pierce County had a 1% increase, with 32% of its residents being overweight. Thurston County had a 4% increase and 33% of its current population being obese.
Grant County has the highest obesity level in 2022 at 39%, a 6% increase since its 2012 data.
