Importance: A comprehensive obesity surveillance system monitors obesity rates along with causes and related health policies, which are valuable for tracking and identifying problems needing intervention.
Methods: A statewide obesity dashboard was created using the County Health Rankings model. Indicators were obtained through publicly available secondary data sources and used to rank Wisconsin amongst other states on obesity rates, health factors, and policies.
Results: Wisconsin consistently ranks in the middle of states for a majority of indicators and has not implemented any of the evidence-based health policies.
Conclusions and relevance: This state of obesity report shows Wisconsin has marked room for improvement regarding obesity prevention, especially with obesity-related health policies. Physicians and health care systems can play a pivotal role in making progress on obesity prevention.