We’re Fat, But Not As Fat As Mississippi

Whether you blame it on the Nathan’s, the pizza, the
cheesecake or the bagels, pudgy New Yorkers just keep packing on the pounds.
According to a new study published yesterday by the Trust for America‘s
Health, a total of 22.4 percent adults in the state are obese, up 0.7 percent from 2005. In a
nation-wide comparison, New York
ranked as the 38th most obese state in the nation. Mississippi
took the heavyweight title, with 30.6 percent of adults considered obese, while Colorado,
land of the Rockies, came in last, with 17.6 percent of
residents tipping the scales. A person is considered obese if he or she has a
BMI of 30 or more.

The fourth-annual study also reports that obesity rates are
up in 31 states this year. Not a single state in the country managed to drop
its rates from last year, despite efforts to encourage people to exercise and
eat right. More than a quarter of adults in a total of 19 states are now
considered obese, up from just 9 states in 2005. “The problem keeps getting
worse,” Jeff Levi, the executive director of the Trust for America‘s
Health, said. “There has been a breakthrough in terms of drawing attention to
the obesity epidemic. Now, we need a breakthrough in terms of policies and
results.” Studies have found that obese individuals are more likely to suffer
from health problems, including diabetes and heart disease, costing the health
care system billions a year. The full repot is available here.

Photo courtesy of mandj98 on Flickr