Heart HealthObesity: Where does your state rank?
In 2010 rural Mississippi had the most obese residents for the 7th year in a row. This is according to an annual obesity report published by two public health groups.
Can you guess the thinnest state? Yep, Colorado.
The results of the annual obesity report get worse every year. Americans are getting heavier and heavier as time passes. Here’s an interesting fact that was pointed out:
In Colorado in 2010, 19.8% of the adult population was considered obese. Back in 1995, this would have meant Colorado was the heaviest state in the U.S.
It’s pretty scary how quickly things change in just 15 years.
According to the study results, the states that struggle the most with obesity are located in the South.
Here are the 12 states with an obesity rate of greater than 30%:
- Mississippi: 34.4%
- Alabama: 32.3%
- West Virginia: 32.2%
- Tennessee: 31.9%
- Louisiana: 31.6%
- Kentucky: 31.5%
- Oklahoma: 31.4%
- South Carolina: 30.9%
- Arkansas: 30.6%
- Michigan: 30.5%
- Missouri: 30.3%
- Texas: 30.1%
Can you believe in 2006, Mississippi was the only state above 30%?
Here are the 12 thinnest states:
- Colorado: 19.8%
- District of Columbia: 21.7%
- Connecticut: 21.8%
- Massachusetts: 22.3%
- Hawaii: 23.1%
- Utah: 23.4%
- Vermont: 23.5%
- Montana: 23.8%
- New Jersey: 24.1%
- Rhode Island: 24.3%
- New York: 24.7%
- California: 24.8%
What do you think is contributing to this trend?
- Bigger portion sizes
- Greater dependence on fast food
- Higher intake of processed foods
- Decreased physical education and activity in schools
- Unhealthy school lunches
- More sedentary lifestyles (cars, computers, video games)
Tired of changes that don't last?
I’m just throwing out some of my thoughts; I’d love to hear yours.
What can we do about it?
This is probably the more important question. This last study showed that no state successfully reduced its level of adult obesity. If you are struggling to lose weight, what do you need to be successful?
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
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