America's 5 fattest (and getting fatter) states

[Completely 3]

America's 5 fattest (and getting fatter) states by The Staff at wowOwow.com, on Thu Oct 9, 2008 11:41am PDT http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/amer...-states-282773/

The obesity epidemic in America has gotten worse in the last year, despite the many public service campaigns promoting physical activity and warning about the health risks posed by being overweight, according to a new study.

According to an annual report released this week by nonprofit Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, over the past year adult obesity rates increased in 37 states, while there were no decreases in any states.

The survey, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America, 2008, showed that there's a growing obesity epidemic in the U.S. They found that today more than 20 percent of adults are obese in every state except Colorado, where the number is 18.4 percent. More than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states, up from 19 states last year. In 1991 no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

West Virginia (30.6 percent)

Alabama (30.1 percent)

Louisiana (29.5 percent)

South Carolina (29.2 percent)

The five slimmest states and their obesity rates are:

Colorado (18.4 percent)

Hawaii (20.7 percent)

Connecticut (20.8 percent)

Massachusetts (20.9 percent)

Vermont (21.1 percent)

Perhaps as a consequence of America's widening waistlines, another disturbing trend emerged: an increase was found in the percentage of adults with Type-2 diabetes, a weight-related disease. The survey found higher incidence of diabetes in 26 states. Diabetes has been linked to a variety of health problems including coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer and pregnancy complications, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

The two foundations also reviewed state and federal policies aimed at reducing obesity in children and adults. They found that while all 50 states have some sort of law addressing the issue of obesity on the books, only 13 states back up these regulations with enforcement policies.

For example, Georgia and Vermont were the only two states with specific guidelines for treating obese adults in their Medicaid programs. The report also notes that 20 states do not cover nutritional assessments for obese adults under Medicaid. In Nebraska and South Carolina, the Medicaid programs specifically state that obesity is not a disease and treatment cannot be covered.

Among the report's key findings:

* Number of states in which adult obesity rates went up: 37

* Number of states in which adult obesity rates went down: 0

* Number of states in which at least 1 in 4 adults is obese: 28

* Number of states in which there was no specific coverage for nutrition assessment and counseling for obese or overweight children in their Medicaid programs: 10

* Number of states which explicitly do not cover nutritional assessment and consultation for obese adults under Medicaid: 20

* Number of states in which laws require school meals to exceed USDA nutrition standards: 18

The full report also offers solutions to fight the obesity epidemic, including ways for state and national laws to enforce stricter programs.

"America's future depends on the health of our country. The obesity epidemic is lowering our productivity and dramatically increasing our health-care costs. Our analysis shows that we are not treating the obesity epidemic with the urgency it deserves," Jeffrey Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health, said in a news release. "Even though communities have started taking action, considering the scope of the problem, the country's response has been severely limited. For significant change to happen, combating obesity must become a national priority."

[caybee 21]

Woo-hoo, we made the list!

Seriously, this is depressing. When I've visited cities in the northeast, even D.C., there just seems to be a healthier atmosphere, more walking and biking and so on. Haven't stayed long enough to notice dietary differences, but I know they exist. I love South Carolina, but we need a huge attitude adjustment down here (and I include myself in that statement).

Edited October 16, 2008 by caybee

[*JG* 2]

Funny they are focused on the southern states. Too much fried foods?

Obesity is a world-wide trend now. Not limited to just the USA anymore.

[almaty 19]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

West Virginia (30.6 percent)

Alabama (30.1 percent)

Louisiana (29.5 percent)

South Carolina (29.2 percent)

put down that chicken friend steak, boy..

[alienlovechild 75]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

West Virginia (30.6 percent)

Alabama (30.1 percent)

Louisiana (29.5 percent)

South Carolina (29.2 percent)

I'm moving to Mississippi so that I'll look thinner by comparison.

[SpiritAlight 1]

You know why I would want everyone to be of normal weight, besides the obvious?

So that the damn A/C gets turned off.

I hate A/C!!!

[pedroh 21]

its the grits and the salisbury steak

[HAL 9000 96]

Or the grits and chitlins.

Hmmmm some roast pig ain't such a bad idea right 'bout now.

[rocks 494]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

that doesn't surprise me at all. since being here i've definitely seen the fattest people ever. the amount of heffalumps wearing moo moo's riding around on those mobility carts because they are too fat to walk is quite frankly scary.

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

West Virginia (30.6 percent)

Alabama (30.1 percent)

Louisiana (29.5 percent)

South Carolina (29.2 percent)

I'm moving to Mississippi so that I'll look thinner by comparison.

i'm leaving then. the thought of being anywhere near you is vomit inducing.

[IAMX 3,055]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

that doesn't surprise me at all. since being here i've definitely seen the fattest people ever. the amount of heffalumps wearing moo moo's riding around on those mobility carts because they are too fat to walk is quite frankly scary.

What in the hell are you doing there?

[rocks 494]

The five fattest states and their obesity rates are:

Mississippi (31.7 percent)

that doesn't surprise me at all. since being here i've definitely seen the fattest people ever. the amount of heffalumps wearing moo moo's riding around on those mobility carts because they are too fat to walk is quite frankly scary.

What in the hell are you doing there?

it's where the love of my life is from

i like it here, but i won't lie, the obese people scare me

[pedroh 21]

them yankees come to the south with their smoothies and their spinach wraps.. #######

[rocks 494]

them yankees come to the south with their smoothies and their spinach wraps.. #######

and shoes

[SteveLaura 0]

Could someone who is more arsed to do so than me post something to compare the average earnings in the fat states with those in the skinny ones? Ta.

[rocks 494]

Could someone who is more arsed to do so than me post something to compare the average earnings in the fat states with those in the skinny ones? Ta.

mississippi is at the bottom of the list for earnings lol... lemme find it. poor and fat, who would have thought

edit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_inc...Income_by_state

ms is right at the bottom

Edited October 16, 2008 by rocks