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](http://healthyamericans.org/), 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](http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/release.php?StateID=NY). Mississippi took [the heavyweight title](http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2007/08/28/2007-08-28_bulge_battle_weighs_on_new_yorkers.html), 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](http://www.nhlbisupport.com/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](http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/release.php?StateID=NY) 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](http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/Obesity2007Report.pdf).

Photo courtesy of [mandj98 on Flickr]