Mississippi Still the Fattest State

Despite national efforts to curb obesity rates, such as campaigns to force restaurants to post calorie counts, incidence of obesity rose in 16 states over the past year and did not decline in a single one, reports The Examiner.

The annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America report by the Trust for America’s Health indicates the obesity epidemic is most prevalent in the South. Nine of the ten “fattest” states are located in the South with Mississippi in the lead with an obesity rate over 30 percent. Alabama led in prevalence of adult diabetes with 12.2 percent of its population affected.

The study also showed the correlation between poverty and obesity. Families with household incomes below the poverty level had the highest obesity rates.

Two decades ago, no state had an obesity rate higher than 15 percent. That number has ballooned, however with the rise of fast food, preservative chemicals, and cultural neglect for health concerns. Now, 38 states have obesity rates over 25 percent.