Health

Over 20 percent of American adults are obese

by Jason Sanders | August 20, 2008 at 09:41 am

1092 views | 0 Recommendations | 6 comments

Adult obesity has been rising at increasing rates over the past 30 years and Mississippi turns out to be the heaviest state, leading the country with a 31.7 percent obesity rate. That's a stark contrast to the 1980 national average of 15% and 1991's 20 percent.

More than 20 percent of adults are obese — 30 pounds or more overweight — in every state except Colorado.

Mississippi is followed by West Virginia with a 30.6 percent obesity rate, Alabama with 30.1 percent, Louisiana with 29.5 percent and South Carolina with 29.2 percent. Michigan, which comes in at No. 10, is the only state to crack the Top 10 that is not in the South.

This problem will continue to worsen as 23 million children are now considered overweight or obese. These increasing obesity rates will only contribute to more diseases and heart problems.

Diseases associated with obesity, like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, are also on the rise. Rates of type 2 diabetes increased in 26 states last year.

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

icedcoffee411

at 15:28 on August 20th, 2008

JeffHuang

at 15:41 on August 20th, 2008

Look at those food pictures. No wonder theyre obese.

simonandmartina

at 19:24 on August 20th, 2008

I'm living in Korea now, and I'm surprised how there are barely any obese people here. It could be all of the exercise parks, free to all, that keep everyone in shape. It really makes me question what North America is doing wrong...

simonandmartina has contributed a photo to this story.

Jason Sanders

at 16:16 on August 21st, 2008

I think it's the lack of alternatives. Fast food is cheap over here, while healthy food isn't (as much).

daz4590

at 01:13 on August 21st, 2008

I'm living in the UK and my photo shows a large meal. I must admit though I wanted the free Coke can glass. Its really cool.

MiLo800´s Xtra Stuff

at 23:08 on August 21st, 2008

I am 34 years old and I suffer from high cholesterol. Although I exercise since I was 17 years old and had a healthy diet but it was up to the 27 that I discovered my illness. And all thanks to fast food. All because of my working hours I finished eating at those locations. In a period of less than 3 years was about to suffer a heart attack. My cholesterol levels were over the top. Not only that, had also grown much weight. But thanks to a medical examination in my work was detected in time and turned out that I was not the only one, some of my colleagues suffered from the same thing. Now that time has passed I'm fine, I have a 2 years boy who fascinates go to McDonalds and I started thinking about the damage that such food can make him. Now that time has passed I'm fine, I have a 2 years boy who fascinates go to McDonalds and I started thinking about the damage that such food can make him. The marketing of McDonalds penetrates the subconscious of children so much that their favorite is the BIG and yellow letter "M" and love Happy Meals. As parents we must educate our children and teach them to lead a healthy diet, it is difficult but HEY that's being a parent. I am not saying that you will prohibit these restaurants but we can compensate with exercise and healthy food. Do it for your health, your heart and theirs. An obese child is not a healthy child.
MiLo800

MiLo800´s Xtra Stuff has contributed a photo to this story.