States' Childhood Obesity Prevalence: This Week on AOL Health

Obesity rates have increased significantly over the past 30 years, tripling for boys and girls of all ages and ethnicities, according to the American Medical Association. The rates vary from state to state with Mississippi having the highest obesity prevalence and Oregon the lowest.

Poverty rates, opportunities for physical activity, access to healthy foods and TV time all influence a child's weight and health. Improving these factors can help to lower obesity risks and other diseases like hypertension and heart disease.

"Changes in the social environment are a key factor in influencing obesity risks," Gopal K. Singh told AOL Health. "These conditions are that which determine how active or how sedentary your child is."

To learn about different states' obesity prevalence and statistics from the study, check out AOL Health.

The American College of Sports Medicine launched a national physical activity plan to address Americans' growing obesity rates. Find out the details on That's Fit.