How Fat is Your State?

Photo: Lee Carson, Flickr

By now, you've probably heard that Mississippi is (once again) the fattest state -- for five years running. And Colorado is holding tight to its status as the leanest state. But where does your state rank? Odds are, your state's obesity rate is climbing -- all in all, 23 states got fatter this year. Some more facts to consider:

• Four states have over 30 percent obesity. Mississippi tops the charts with 32.5 percent. But Alabama, West Virginia and Tennessee follow close behind with 31.2 percent, 31.1 percent and 30.2 percent, respectively.
• Baby boomers in Alabama are the heaviest for their demographic, but Michigan boomers are close runners-up.
• While only four states have adult obesity rates over 30 percent, 21 states have childhood obesity rates over 30 percent.

Considering that not one state reported an improvement in obesity rates, it's not surprising that this year's report by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was titled F as in Fat. The report states that the economic crunch we're experiencing could make obesity rates even worse.

It's all kind of depressing actually. But That's Fit readers know that while the government types sort out any policies that can be put in place to help this growing obesity crisis, we can all take responsibility for our own health. After all, you are the biggest influence in your own health. Start taking steps to achieve a healthy weight today.