The Fattening of America

(Image from asean-oshnet.net)

In a study conducted by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America's Healthy, obesity rates rise in 17 states of U.S. from 1995 to last year.  The rate of obesity has not been decreased in any state. In 2007, only 1 state had obesity rate over 30% but now 12 states have over 30% rates and 38 states have above 25% rates. Colorado is the only state with obesity rate below 20%. The highest adult obesity rate is maintained by Mississippi for the 7th consecutive year followed by West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Southern states have the most dramatic obesity epidemic. In the South 9 out of 10 states have maximum adult obesity rates. Northeastern and Western states have lower obesity rates. The study reports that obesity rates are 2 times more in 7 states and raised by 90% in 10 others, since 1995. In Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee the rates of obesity has grown fastest while in D.C., Washington, Connecticut and Colorado the rates has grown slowest. Obesity leads to several health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. The study also shows that the rates of high blood pressure and diabetes have been doubled in 8 states. Diabetes rates are more than 7% in over 40 states.