According to a survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control the South is again the nation's fattest region.Mississippi is the nation's fattest state. CDC results noted that 30.2 percent of Mississippi adults are obese.
Colorado is the least obese with only 19 percent fitting into the category.
The study has had similar results since 2004, when Mississippi grasped the fattest state title. But since then Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia and Louisiana are getting closer to passing Mississippi.
CDC researcher believe that the South may be tipping the scales due to the traditional Southern diet - high in fat and fried food. The South also has a high population of rural residents and black females, two groups that the CDC says tend to have higher obesity rates.
States on the opposite end, like Colorado, have reputations for exercise. States that are filled with hiking and biking trails are less likely to have higher obesity rates. Colorado also has a higher elevation, which causes the body to work more, said the CDC.
Obesity is measured in terms of Body Mass Index. To calculate your body mass index follow these steps:
Divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Then multiply that number by 703. If your BMI is under 18 you are underweight. If it is between 18 and 24.9 you are of normal weight. If it is between 25 and 29.9 you are overweight. If it is greater than 30 you are obese.Note that this is not an exact calculation. For an exact calculation contact your physician or primary health care provider.
Top 10 Obese States
1. Mississippi (32.0% Obese)
2. Alabama (30.3% Obese)
3. Tennessee (30.1% Obese)
4. Louisiana (29.8% Obese)
5. West Virginia (29.5% Obese)
6. Arkansas (28.7% Obese)
7. South Carolina (28.4% Obese)
8. Georgia (28.2% Obese)
9. Oklahoma (28.1% Obese)
10. Texas (28.1% Obese)
