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Which States Have the Highest Rates of Obesity?

Increasing obesity is a public health epidemic in the United States. According to a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, approximately 33% of US adults are obese. Likewise, the rate of obesity in children is nearly 16%.

The same report says adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in five states, 30 percent in 25 states, and 25 percent in 46 states. West Virginia has the highest adult obesity rate at 37.7 percent and Colorado has the lowest at 22.3 percent. The adult obesity rate decreased in Kansas between 2015 and 2016, increased in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and West Virginia, and remained stable in the rest of states.

What is Obesity?

Obesity is defined as an abnormally higher range of weight compared to what is considered healthy. The most common tool used to categorize a person as obese is Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI gives a tentative idea about the amount of fat in the body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a BMI score between 25 and 29.9 meets the criteria for overweight in adults. Similarly, obesity means the BMI score is 30 or higher.

Obesity is a complex problem with multifactorial origin. That said, no single factor entirely determines why someone is obese. The major determinants of obesity are heredity, diet, and level of physical activity. Moreover, it shares a close link with a number of other factors. For example, poverty, level of education, and social environment.

For these reasons, it is critically important to address all these factors if you are looking to shed some pounds. Most notably, consider changing your diet and following a modified exercise regimen to boost the level of activity.

States with the Highest Obesity Rates: Know the Fattest States in the United States

In 2016, the top 10 fattest states in the United States were:

West     Virginia (37.7%).

Mississippi     (37.3%).

Alabama     (35.7%) and Arkansas (35.7).

Louisiana     (35.5%).

Tennessee     (34.8%).

Kentucky     (34.2%).

Texas     (33.7%).

Oklahoma     (32.8%).

Indiana     (32.5%).

(Statistics Source: Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.)

How Obesity Affects Your Health?

Being obese puts at a greater risk of many diseases. These include:

●     Heart disease.

●     Type 2 diabetes.

●     Bone and joint disease.

●     Stroke.

●     Mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

●     Sleep problems like apnea spells of breathlessness while asleep.

●     Certain cancers.

●     Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that increase the risk of diabetes and stroke.

In addition, high obesity rates cause a major economic burden. For instance, the state with the highest obesity rate has the highest annual health care costs. Even worse, obesity can lead to an untimely death. In one study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the researchers found that extremely obese individuals (BMI of 40-44.9) lost 6.5 years of life. In the same way, BMI of 55-59.9 caused a loss of 13.7 life years.

Lifestyle Measures to Treat Obesity

A successful weight-loss program follows a strict dietary and exercise regimen that you should follow for a longer duration. That said, no magic pill or diet fad is really effective. Nonetheless, a scientific approach that meets your individual needs forms the cornerstone of obesity treatment.

●     Diet.A healthy diet with limited calories is the first thing to consider. Make sure to include a wide variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Note that all fats are not bad for your health. Fatty fish and nuts are a great source of healthy fats called omega-3-fatty acids. Consult a certified dietician or nutritionist to design an individually tailored healthy diet.

●     Stay active. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity a week for adults. Unfortunately, many Americans do not meet the recommended guidelines on physical activity. Find an exercise regimen you enjoy doing and follow it regularly. The simplest yet effective exercise is walking. Walk for 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. Exercise helps to lower blood pressure and prevent Type 2 diabetes. Also, it boosts your mood, improves sleep and regulates hunger. Never start any high-intensity exercise without first consulting your doctor.

●     Environmental changes. Minor changes in your daily routine can help to increase the level of physical activity. For example, use the stairs instead of using an elevator. Spend active time with your loved ones by engaging in pleasurable activities like hiking or playing badminton. While grocery shopping, choose foods that are nutrient-dense instead of calorie-dense.

●     If your condition does not improve with the measures mentioned above, consider taking anti-obesity medications only after consulting your doctor.

●     Surgical intervention. If your BMI is more than 40, weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery) may be an option. Talk to your doctor to know if you meet the criteria for bariatric surgery.

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