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Adult obesity has increased in 23 states and not a single state reported a decrease, according to the report released by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
According to the report, eight out of 10 states with the highest amount of obese adults and children are located in the South.
The annual ranking found that Mississippi continues as the nation’s fattest state with nearly a third of its adults—32.5 percent—to be considered obese. The state has topped the list for five consecutive years.
Colorado continues as the state with the thinnest residents with only a 19 percent obesity rate. It is the only state with fewer than 20 percent of its adult population rated overweight or obese. Massachusetts ranks second, followed by Connecticut in third, as the states with the fittest population.
Being overweight or obese raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis and other conditions.
Over two-thirds of Americans are obese or overweight as defined by Body Mass Index or BMI, which calculates using weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. A BMI of 25 to 29 is classified as overweight and 30 or over is considered obese.
The organizations also found that over 30 percent of children in 30 states are obese or overweight with Georgia, Arkansas, and Mississippi with the highest amount of overweight children.
Childhood obesity has tripled since 1980 and the groups warn that they are at risk with factors associated with heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is also more likely to be carried into adulthood.
Although still on the rise, fewer states this year saw an increase in obesity rates. Last year, 37 states saw gains. However, the groups warn that an economic crisis could exacerbate the obesity epidemic as food prices rise and shrinking family budget causes difficulty in purchasing healthy food.
In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 1980, the national average for adult obesity was 15 percent.
