State officials say the latest figures for 2017 show 28.4 percent of Minnesota adults are considered obese — just under a one-point increase from the year before but still lower than any surrounding state.  Kristine Igo with the Minnesota Department of Health

But officials stress the state still has more work to do.  People who are obese have increased risk for a number of serious diseases and health conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and cancer. In the region, Iowa has a rate of 36.4 percent, North Dakota 33.2 percent, Nebraska 32.8 percent, and South Dakota at 31.9 percent.