Idaho is the healthiest state in the nation, a new report says. Here’s why
Idaho is the healthiest state in the country, according to a new report.
The report by NiceRx, a Miami-based telehealth platform, used data from federal agencies and Google on obesity, 10-year trends in obesity rates, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, online searches for weight-loss medications, and the availability of fitness facilities to rank the states.
Idaho had the highest health score at 7.14 out of 10, followed by Washington state, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California. Louisiana clocked in as the most unhealthy, with a score of 2.54.
The Gem State got a high score for several reasons, the report said.
Idaho has the fourth-lowest alcohol consumption level in the U.S., drinking 1.91 gallons per capita, and the 13th lowest obesity rate at 31%, meaning less than one-third of the state’s population is considered obese. The nationwide obesity rate is about 40%.
The 10-year increase in obesity in Idaho is 4.7%, which is the lowest rate in the country and twice as low as New York state’s, the report said.
Idaho is also home to some of the most active Americans, according to the report. The state has a low physical inactivity rate of just over 22%, the 13th-lowest in the nation. It also has 12 fitness facilities per 100,000 people.
Why did Idaho rank as the healthiest?
The report said easy access to nature makes a big difference.
About 40% of Idaho is covered in forests, including the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Payette National Forest and Sawtooth National Forest, making it one of the most heavily forested states, according to the report.
“Idaho is surrounded by pristine landscapes, with mountains, forests and lakes,” the report said. “Its proximity means Idahoans have plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, all of which can boost their physical fitness.”
Many areas of the state also offer a slower-paced lifestyle, which means residents may have less stress and more time to cook healthy meals, go outside, exercise and spend time with friends and family, the report said.
How did the rest of the country fare?
Utah residents drink the least amount of alcohol, consuming 1.23 gallons per capita, according to the report.
Obesity has risen the most in New Mexico, where its prevalence has risen by more than a third over the last decade. Colorado had the lowest obesity rate in the country at 24.9%. West Virginia had the highest.
People in South Carolina searched for weight-loss medications more than any other state, with 11,101 searches per 100,000 people.
New Hampshire residents have the best access to a workout, with 21 fitness facilities per capita.
The NiceRx report’s data sources
NiceRx used data from:
— The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find the obesity rates, the 10-year percentage change in obesity rates, and the percentage of self-reported physical inactivity outside of work.
— The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to find the source of per capita ethanol consumption in gallons per person age 14 and above.
—The U.S. Census Bureau to find the number of fitness and recreational sports centers and then normalized the data to show the results per 100,000 people.
— Google’s Keyword Planner to find searches for Ozempic, Wegovy, Monjaro and “weight loss drug,” and then normalized the data to show searches per 100,000 people.
