Fattest State in America 2012: Mississippi is Number One For Sixth Consecutive Year; Is Working Out a Factor?

Mississippi came out on top as the fattest state in America for 2011.

What's the real news is that the southern state has been the #1 fattest in the nation for the sixth consecutive year!

A new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) named the most obese states to the thinnest states in the United States.

Mississippi has an adult obesity of 34.9 percent, and Colorado is the thinnest with 20.7 percent.

Twenty-six of the 30 states with the highest obesity rates are in the Midwest and South.

"Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs. It is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced," said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, TFAH executive director, according to Cole at B&R. "The good news is that we have a growing body of evidence and approaches that we know can help reduce obesity, improve nutrition and increase physical activity based on making healthier choices easier for Americans. The bad news is we're not investing anywhere near what we need to in order to bend the obesity curve and see the returns in terms of health and savings."

According to The-Leader.com, a factor that might affect obesity rates is that many people confuse the terms "impact" and "intensity" when it comes to workouts.

"Impact refers to the force of your body used in a particular exercise, while intensity refers to the level of difficulty, focus and your power," wrote The-Leader.com. 

"High-impact exercises include running, jogging and plyometrics (jumping). Low-impact exercises include walking, climbing, riding a bike or pedaling the elliptical."

According to CalorieLab, Florida rose the most places in the rankings over last year, while Oregon dropped the most, according to a new analysis by CalorieLab, Inc.

Tennessee dropped from last year's tie with Alabama down to fourth place. West Virginia rose from fourth place last year to third place this year.

Florida raised the most slots in the rankings for 2011, rising 7 places, while Nevada dropped the most, 8 places.

Among the fattest states are Alabama, Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Lousiana, Michigan, Missouiri, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.

Among the thinnest states areCalifornia, New York, New Jersey, Arizona, Connecticut, Nevada, Utah, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Montana, and Colorado.

Here is a full list from highest to lowest in obesity:

1. Mississippi (34.9%); 2. Louisiana (33.4%); 3. West Virginia (32.4%); 4. Alabama (32.0%); 5. Michigan (31.3%); 6. Oklahoma (31.1%); 7. Arkansas (30.9%); 8. (tie) Indiana (30.8%); and South Carolina (30.8%); 10. (tie) Kentucky (30.4%); and Texas (30.4%); 12. Missouri (30.3%); 13. (tie) Kansas (29.6%); and Ohio (29.6%); 15. (tie) Tennessee (29.2%); and Virginia (29.2%); 17. North Carolina (29.1%); 18. Iowa (29.0%); 19. Delaware (28.8%); 20. Pennsylvania (28.6%); 21. Nebraska (28.4%); 22. Maryland (28.3%); 23. South Dakota (28.1%); 24. Georgia (28.0%); 25. (tie) Maine (27.8%); and North Dakota (27.8%); 27. Wisconsin (27.7%); 28. Alaska (27.4%): 29. Illinois (27.1%); 30. Idaho (27.0%); 31. Oregon (26.7%); 32. Florida (26.6%); 33. Washington (26.5%); 34. New Mexico (26.3%); 35. New Hampshire (26.2%); 36. Minnesota (25.7%); 37. (tie) Rhode Island (25.4%); and Vermont (25.4%); 39. Wyoming (25.0%); 40. Arizona (24.7%); 41. Montana (24.6%); 42. (tie) Connecticut (24.5%); Nevada (24.5%); and New York (24.5%); 45. Utah (24.4%); 46. California (23.8%); 47. (tie) District of Columbia (23.7%); and New Jersey (23.7%); 49. Massachusetts (22.7%); 50. Hawaii (21.8%); 51. Colorado (20.7%).

Which state are you in, and how do you feel about the results? Comment below! 

Get the Most Popular Books & Review Updates Weekly

More News in

© Copyright 2024 Books & Review. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Real Time Analytics