Report projects soaring obesity by 2018 in Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) -- A new obesity report has some sobering estimates for Illinois and the rest of the nation.

If current trends continue, about 43 percent of adults in Illinois and nationwide will be obese by 2018. That's up from about 31 percent last year.

Oklahoma is projected to have the highest rate - 56 percent; and Colorado the lowest - 30 percent, within nine years.

Obesity-related health-care spending per adult will quadruple in Illinois, to about $1,500. Overall, the United States is expected to spend $344 billion on obesity-related health costs in 2018 if current rates persist.

The estimates are in a report this week from United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.