A recent survey by the Public Health Agency of Sweden has revealed that Arvidsjaur municipality has the highest percentage of residents with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 or higher in the country. Out of approximately 6,000 inhabitants, around 4,400 are considered to have a health-threatening weight. Local resident Oskar Åström expressed concern, stating that while the statistics are alarming, the issue is manageable with available support.

The study, which included all 21 counties and 290 municipalities, involved participants between the ages of 16 and 84 providing their height and weight to assess BMI levels. The findings indicate that overweight and obesity problems escalate with age and pose an increasing public health concern. District doctor Per Stenlund warned that residents in Arvidsjaur may face significant health issues in the future, particularly those who have yet to develop associated illnesses due to their weight.

BMI, or Body Mass Index, is commonly used to measure overweight and obesity by calculating the ratio of weight to height. A BMI above 25 is considered overweight, which raises concerns about health risks such as diabetes and heart disease. The alarming trends in Arvidsjaur suggest that urgent local health initiatives are needed to address this growing epidemic.