After growth in obesity rates, state sees small downtick

A state health official says new data shows Idaho adults reversing a decades-long increase in obesity.

The Spokesman-Review reports the 28.6 percent of adults in Idaho who said they were obese in 2015 is down from 28.9 percent in 2014.

Data comes from a state Department of Health & Welfare report that uses the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Department official Ivie Smart says more Idaho residents are embracing healthy eating and activities.

The state’s obesity rate grew from 9.3 percent to 29.6 percent between 1990 and 2013.