1. SUNY Cortland
Obesity in New York:
Upstate Counties vs. Metropolitan
Shannon O'Brien
2012

2. Obesity is a growing disease not only for the United States, but also for the world. Since this is
such a widely discussed topic, only the comparison between Upstate New York and the Metropolitan
area will be discussed. One of the biggest differences between these two areas that take part in the rates
of obesity is the economic status of the surrounding populations. In general, those that live in Upstate
New York have a lower annual income which correlates to a high rate of obesity. The Metropolitan area
generally has a higher annual income which correlates to a lower rate of obesity.
In Upstate New York, the three counties with the highest rate of obesity are Lewis, Jefferson
and St. Lawrence. These three counties are neighboring counties with median annual incomes of
$43,607, $44,908, and $41,203 respectively (Sperling's Best Places, 2010). With these low annual
incomes comes a high obesity rate of 67.6%, 67.7%, 67.7% respectively (New York's Fattest Counties,
2009).
On the other side of the economic status are the counties in the Metropolitan area. These three
counties, New York, Westchester, and Suffolk, have the highest median annual income of $67,161,
$80,980, and $85,263 respectively (Sperling's Best Places, 2010). Opposite of Upstate counties, with
these high income rates come a low obesity rate of 42.3%, 53.6%, and 57.0% respectively (New York's
Fattest Counties, 2009).
Upstate New York has continuingly become overweight or obese. From 2003 to 2007 the
Upstate counties had a 15% increase in their population’s obesity rates. With this increase, 27.5% of the
population is obese (Excellus, 2009). Since this increase has occurred it has also increased the amount
of money the insurance companies have to pay towards medical bills. In the fall of 2009, Excellus
BlueCross BlueShield shared that they had spent $1.5 billion on medical bills for the Upstate counties
in New York. When this was averaged out it was estimated that the cost of insurance was $392 per
resident. The majority of this insurance increase was coming from the population that earned between
15k and 25k annually. The percent obese in this income bracket is 70.5% (Excellus, 2009).

3. With the location and annual income in mind, there are other reasons that these statistics may
stand. For those in Upstate New York with the lower annual income, it is more difficult for families to
eat a healthy diet. Health foods are much more expensive than those that are processed and placed on
shelves. The people in Upstate New York don’t have as easy of an access to fresh fruits or lean meat
and so must eat what food is available, those high in sodium, cholesterol and fats. Another factor that
becomes a disadvantage to those living in these counties is that with the miles between one place and
another, they don’t have many choices in transportation other than by vehicle. This is a disadvantage
because it gives these counties more of a sedentary life style. With an unhealthy diet and sedentary
lifestyle, overweight and obesity rates start to rise.
For those in the Metropolitan area it is a little different. Since these counties have a higher
annual income they are able to have the opportunity to purchase and eat healthy foods. They have more
access to fresh fruits and vegetables and also have a greater chance of finding lean meat. This cut down
in processed foods cuts a larger portion of fats from their daily diets. The other benefit is their location.
Since the Metropolitan area is located in the city, the distance between two places is much closer and
gives this population the opportunity to walk to their destinations. This is an advantage because this
leads to a more active life style. With the healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle, it is easier for
these counties to keep their overweight and obese rates down.
Concluding this research, it is easy to see why the population in Upstate New York has a higher
overweight and obesity rate than those in the Metropolitan area. Because of the income difference and
geological position, there are many differences between these two parts of New York. The Upstate
counties with low income have the higher obesity rates because of their disadvantages. With a low
annual income and a necessity to drive as a means of transportation it leaves these counties eating
unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles. On the other hand the Metropolitan area has the opposite
conditions and therefore has the advantages. With the higher annual income this area has the lowest
overweight and obesity rates because of their advantages. Some of these advantages include the higher

4. income allowing them to purchase healthier foods with lower fat contents. They are also close enough
in distance that they have the option to walk from one destination to the next and having an active
lifestyle, leaving the area with a lower obesity rate.

5. Works Cited
All Over Albany (2009).Rates of overweight/obese in New York State by county [Image]. Retrieved February, 14,
2012 from http:// alloveralbany.com
Excellus. (2009). The Facts About. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from
http://www.whec.com/whecimages/obesity_2009.pdf
Find The Data. (2012). Westchester County, New York Obesity Rates and Fast Food Consumption.
Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://county-food.findthedata.org/l/1885/Westchester
Sperling's Best Places.(2010). New York Counties. Retrieved February 14, 2012, from
http://www.bestplaces.net/find/county.aspx?st=NY