More Smokers, Obese/Inactive People in County than Rest of State

There's good news and bad news when it comes to Berkeley County's population's health. 

The good news is the county ranks No. 9 in health outcomes compared with 45 other S.C. counties, according to a study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Health outcomes measure mortality (death before age 75) and morbidity (reports of fair health, reports of unhealthy days, reports of mentally unhealthy days and low birth weight). 

In 2011, Berkeley County ranked No. 12 in health outcomes.

The county also ranks No. 6 in social and economic factors that contribute to better health. Those factors include education, poverty, violent crime and single parent households. 

The bad news? Berkeley County ranks a dismal No. 32 for health behaviors. Compared with the state average, more Berkeley County residents smoke, are obese and are physically inactive.

Nearly a quarter of county residents smoke, compared with the state average of 21 percent. Nearly 40 percent of the residents are obese, compared with the state average of 31 percent. And 30 percent of the population is physically inactive, compared with the state average of 28 percent. 

Of restaurants in the county, nearly 60 percent are fast food. The state average is less than 50 percent. 

The full study can be viewed here.