Most States Are Getting Fatter, Report Finds

Posted August 28, 2007

Despite efforts to contain the spread of the American waistline, obesity rates in adults rose in 31 states last year—and no state experienced a decline, according to a report issued today by the nonprofit research group Trust for America's Health. The report also found that 85 percent of adults believe that obesity, with its health risks of heart disease and diabetes, has become an epidemic. Yet 22 percent of those surveyed said they never exercise.

Rates of obesity vary widely from state to state: Mississippi topped the annual ranking with a rate of almost 31 percent, while Colorado remained the leanest with a rate of just under 18 percent. With a childhood obesity rate of nearly 23 percent, Washington, D.C., won the shameful distinction of having the fattest youth.

Fattest States* for Adults

State	Obesity Rate	Diabetes Rate
Mississippi	30.6%	10.1%
West Virginia	29.8%	11.1%
Alabama	29.4%	9.3%
Louisiana	28.2%	8.9%
South Carolina & Tennessee (tie)	27.8%	9.4% (both)

Leanest States* for Adults

State	Obesity Rate	Diabetes Rate
Colorado	17.6%	4.8%
Massachusetts	19.8%	6.1%
Vermont	20.0%	5.8%
Connecticut & Hawaii (tie)	20.1%	6.3% (Conn.), 7.8% (Hawaii)
Rhode Island	20.5%	7.5%

Fattest States* for Kids

State	Obesity Rate	Physically Active**
Washington, D.C.	22.8%	62.1%
West Virginia	20.9%	77.1%
Kentucky	20.6%	68.4%
Tennessee	20.0%	65.1%
North Carolina	19.3%	74.4%

Leanest States* for Kids

State	Obesity Rate	Physically Active**
Utah	8.5%	71.7%
Wyoming	8.7%	76.8%
Colorado	9.9%	70.4%
Idaho & Minnesota (tie)	10.1%	70.5% (Idaho), 72.8% (Minn.)
Washington State	10.8%	72.9%

* includes Washington, D.C.
** percent participating in at least 20 minutes of physical activity three or more times per week
Source: Trust for America's Health (2007): F as in Failing: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America

Tags: obesity | Trust for America's Health