Obesity

• 43.5% of the lower SES population is obese. (Greer 2013)
  • Compared to 26.2% of the higher SES population.
  • 27.7% of the Wisconsin population is obese and 27.4% of the United States population.
• Obesity can cause various health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and others
  • 37% of African Americans in Milwaukee report high blood pressure and 35% of the population in the lower 40% of income (JKV Research 2012).
    • Compared to 23% of Milwaukee's white population and 16% of the top 40% of income.
  • 11% of the lower 40% of income report having heart disease (JKV Research 2012).
    • Compared to 3% of the top 40% of income.
  • 14% of African Americans in Milwaukee report diabetes and 12% of the lower 40% of income. (JKV Research 2012)
    • Compared to 7% of Milwaukee's white population and 3% of the top 40% of income.
• 64.1% of the lower SES have no or little access to healthy food (Greer 2013).
  • Compared to 6.1% of the higher SES group.
  • There is strong evidence shows that a diet with sufficient fruits and vegetables can lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
  • Access to supermarkets versus corner grocery stores correlates with lower prevalence of obesity and hypertension. 

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Greer, Danielle, et al. Milwaukee Health Report 2013: Health Disparities in Milwaukee by Socioeconomic Status. Center for Urban
          Population Health, 2013, www.cuph.org/uploads/2/5/8/5/25855930/mhr_2013_final.pdf.
​JKV Research, LLC. Milwaukee Community Health Survey Report 2012. Milwaukee Health Department Center for Urban Population
            Health, 2012, city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/healthAuthors/ADMIN/PDFs/Reports/2012MilwaukeeCommunityHealth
            Survey.pdf.