(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

As Americans try to focus on upcoming holidays and rapidly approaching New Year’s resolutions, data accompanying this National Diabetes Awareness Month reminds that many of us have some work to do regarding our health.

This is no time for nasty digs about SNAP and the health of those living in states with high numbers of people living both below the poverty line and in food deserts.

In fact, where access to affordable, nutritious options is limited, health woes that go far beyond hunger are plentiful.

It’s no surprise, then, that WalletHub’s “Most Overweight and Obese States in America” puts West Virginia at No. 1. What may be more of a surprise is that Ohio is No. 12.

Perhaps efforts such as the Mountaineer Mile and other state efforts have not yet kicked in, but for now, West Virginia is first for percentage of obese adults, seventh for percentage of overweight children, second for percentage of obese children, fourth for percentage of physically inactive adults, second for percentage of adults with high cholesterol, first for percentage of adults with Type 2 diabetes, fourth for percentage of adults with hypertension; and 11th for percentage of adults eating less than one serving of fruits/vegetables per day.

Meanwhile, Ohio is 12th for percentage of obese adults, sixth for percentage of overweight children, 17th for percentage of obese children, 15th for percentage of physically inactive adults, 26th for percentage of adults with high cholesterol, 12th for percentage of adults with Type 2 diabetes, 12th for percentage of adults with hypertension; and 22nd for percentage of adults eating less than one serving of fruits/vegetables per day.

Analysts note West Virginia also has the highest rate of sugary beverage consumption among adolescents and only 41% of the population living near what they call a “healthy food retailer.”

“One of the biggest mistakes that people make when trying to lose weight is dedicating too much time to the gym and not enough time to eating healthy foods. If you eat less food, whether it is healthy or not, you will lose weight. You have to train your body to your new diet. That means that you will be hungry more often. This is where the healthy snack comes into play,” said Charles E. Menifield, a professor at the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers, and the State University of New Jersey-Newark.

Here’s where the conversation comes back to SNAP. If you are among those who have been trying to buy extra for food banks recently, you’ve probably noticed the most affordable food isn’t the healthiest. And we are past the season where a few dollars could at least get some healthy fresh food at a farmers market.

Affordable, accessible, healthy food, along with better education about health and fitness, will be challenges in our region long after this round of troubles has passed. Lawmakers and other public officials will one day have to turn their attention to them, too.