Americans Fatter in 37 States

State-by-State Ratings Show Waistlines Still Widening

(WebMD)  Millions of Americans are watching our countrymen compete in the Olympics. But fewer and fewer of us bear any resemblance to those lean, fit figures.

The latest annual state-by-state obesity rankings don't paint a pretty picture:

Number of states in which adult obesity rates went up: 37

Number of states in which adult obesity rates went down: 0

Number of states in which adult obesity rates went up for the third year in a row: 19

Percentage of population that is obese in Colorado, this year's least obese state: 18.4

Percentage of population that was obese in the four most obese states in 1991: 15% to 20%

Number of states in which at least 1 in 4 adults is obese: 28

Number of states in which at least 1 in 5 adults was obese in 1991: 0

These are just a few of the shocking numbers in the fifth annual "F as in Fat" report from the nonprofit Trust for America's Health, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Senior author of the report is Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America's Health and associate professor of health policy at George Washington University School of Public Health.

The report's state-by-state rankings find Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama to be the most obese states. Colorado, Hawaii, and Connecticut are the least obese states -- yet Colorado's obesity rate continues to climb toward 20% of adults, a level already surpassed by Hawaii and Connecticut.

"The crisis is getting worse," Levi said at a news conference. "The 2008 report shows some states and communities have taken positive steps, but overall we are not treating the obesity epidemic with the seriousness it deserves."

The most shocking figure in last year's report was that more than 30% of Mississippi adults were obese. This year, Mississippi's problem is even worse -- and now Alabama and West Virginia have adult obesity rates over 30%.

Obesity in the U.S. is less like a rising tide than like a hurricane surge, suggests James Marks, MD, MPH, senior vice president and director of the health group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

"This is the fifth annual report, and with each and every year we see more evidence the obesity epidemic is gaining speed and destructive force," Marks said at the news conference.

Levi and Marks stress that a change in direction will take serious efforts from federal, state, and local governments; from corporations and small businesses; from communities; and from individuals. But they say none of this can come together without leadership from the top.

Without increased federal funding, Marks says, state and local programs will be hard pressed to continue effective programs.

"The resources devoted to improving the health of our families and our children remain too few and too ineffective," Marks said. "The federal government continues to cut its own effective programs. At the federal level, the only obesity number going down is the number of dollars being spent to end the epidemic."

State-by-State Adult Obesity Rankings


Here's a list of states and their three-year average of adult obesity from 2005 to 2007:

Alabama: Rank, 3 -- 30.1% of adults obese

Alaska: Rank, 14 -- 27.3% of adults obese

Arizona: Rank, 38 -- 23.3% of adults obese

Arkansas: Rank, 8 -- 28.1% of adults obese

California: Rank, 41 -- 23.1% of adults obese

Colorado: Rank, 51 -- 18.4% of adults obese

Connecticut: Rank, 49 -- 20.8% of adults obese

Delaware: Rank, 21 -- 25.9% of adults obese

D.C.: Rank, 43 -- 22.1% of adults obese

Florida: Rank, 38 -- 23.3% of adults obese

Georgia: Rank, 11 (tied with Indiana) -- 27.5% of adults obese

Hawaii: Rank, 50 -- 20.7% of adults obese

Idaho: Rank, 31 -- 24.6% of adults obese

Illinois: Rank, 26 -- 25.3% of adults obese

Indiana: Rank, 11 (tied with Georgia) -- 27.5% of adults obese

Iowa: Rank, 19 -- 26.3% of adults obese

Kansas: Rank, 23 -- 25.8% of adults obese

Kentucky: Rank, 7 -- 28.4% of adults obese

Louisiana: Rank, 4 -- 29.5% of adults obese

Maine: Rank, 34 -- 23.7% of adults obese

Maryland: Rank, 27 -- 25.2% of adults obese

Massachusetts: Rank, 48 -- 20.9% of adults obese

Michigan: Rank, 10 -- 27.7% of adults obese

Minnesota: Rank, 30 -- 24.8% of adults obese

Mississippi: Rank, 1 -- 31.7% of adults obese

Missouri: Rank, 13 -- 27.4% of adults obese

Montana: Rank, 45 -- 21.7% of adults obese

Nebraska: Rank, 18 -- 26.5% of adults obese

Nevada: Rank, 35 -- 23.6% of adults obese

New Hampshire: Rank, 35 -- 23.6% of adults obese

New Jersey: Rank, 42 -- 22.9% of adults obese

New Mexico: Rank, 38 -- 23.3% of adults obese

New York: Rank, 37 -- 23.5% of adults obese

North Carolina: Rank, 16 -- 27.1% of adults obese

North Dakota: Rank, 21 -- 25.9% of adults obese

Ohio: Rank, 17 -- 26.9% of adults obese

Oklahoma: Rank, 8 -- 28.1% of adults obese

Oregon: Rank, 29 -- 25.0% of adults obese

Pennsylvania: Rank, 24 -- 25.7% of adults obese

Rhode Island: Rank, 46 -- 21.4% of adults obese

South Carolina: Rank, 5 -- 29.2% of adults obese

South Dakota: Rank, 20 -- 26.1% of adults obese

Tennessee: Rank, 6 -- 29.0% of adults obese

Texas: Rank, 15 -- 27.2% of adults obese

Utah: Rank, 44 -- 21.8% of adults obese

Vermont: Rank, 47 -- 21.1% of adults obese

Virginia: Rank, 27 -- 25.2% of adults obese

Washington: Rank, 32 -- 24.5% of adults obese

West Virginia: Rank, 2 -- 30.6% of adults obese

Wisconsin: Rank, 25 -- 25.5% of adults obese

Wyoming: Rank, 33 -- 24.0% of adults obese

State-by-State Child Obesity Rankings

Here is an alphabetical list of states with rankings for child obesity (ages 10-17) in 2003-2004:

Alabama: Rank, 11 -- 16.7% of children obese

Alaska: Rank, 44 -- 11.1% of children obese

Arizona: Rank, 38 -- 12.2% of children obese

Arkansas: Rank, 12 -- 16.4% of children obese

California: Rank, 32 -- 13.2% of children obese

Colorado: Rank, 49 -- 9.9% of children obese

Connecticut: Rank, 37 -- 12.3% of children obese

Delaware: Rank, 19 --14.8 % of children obese

D.C.: Rank, 1 -- 22.8% of children obese

Florida: Rank, 21 -- 14.4% of children obese

Georgia: Rank, 12 -- 16.4% of children obese

Hawaii: Rank, 29 (tied with Maryland and Pennsylvania) -- 13.3% of children obese

Idaho: Rank, 47 (tied with Minnesota) -- 10.1% of children obese

Illinois: Rank, 14 -- 15.8% of children obese

Indiana: Rank, 15 -- 15.6% of children obese

Iowa: Rank, 35 -- 12.5% of children obese

Kansas: Rank, 24 -- 14.0% of children obese

Kentucky: Rank, 3 -- 20.6% of children obese

Louisiana: Rank, 9 -- 17.2% of children obese

Maine: Rank, 34 -- 12.7% of children bese

Maryland: Rank, 29 (tied with Hawaii and Pennsylvania) -- 13.3% of children obese

Massachusetts: Rank, 27 -- 13.6% of children obese

Michigan: Rank, 20 -- 14.5% of children obese

Minnesota: Rank, 47(tied with Idaho) -- 10.1% of children obese

Mississippi: Rank, 8 -- 17.8% of children obese

Missouri: Rank, 15 -- 15.6% of children obese

Montana: Rank, 44 -- 11.1% of children obese

Nebraska: Rank, 41 -- 11.9% of children obese

Nevada: Rank, 36 -- 12.4% of children obese

New Hampshire: Rank, 33 -- 12.9% of children obese

New Jersey: Rank, 26 -- 13.7% of children obese

New Mexico: Rank, 10 -- 16.8% of children obese

New York: Rank, 18 -- 15.3% of children obese

North Carolina: Rank, 5 -- 19.3% of children obese

North Dakota: Rank, 39 -- 12.1% of children obese

Ohio: Rank, 22 -- 14.2% of children obese

Oklahoma: Rank, 17 -- 15.4% of children obese

Oregon: Rank, 23 -- 14.1% of children obese

Pennsylvania: Rank, 29 (tied with Hawaii and Maryland) -- 13.3% of children obese

Rhode Island: Rank, 41 -- 11.9% of children obese

South Carolina: Rank, 7 -- 18.9% of children obese

South Dakota: Rank, 39 -- 12.1% of children obese

Tennessee: Rank, 4 -- 20.0% of children obese

Texas: Rank, 6 -- 19.1% of children obese

Utah: Rank, 51 -- 8.5% of children obese

Vermont: Rank, 43 -- 11.3% of children obese

Virginia: Rank, 25 -- 13.8% of children obese

Washington: Rank, 46 -- 10.8% of children obese

West Virginia: Rank, 2 -- 20.9% of children obese

Wisconsin: Rank, 28 -- 13.5% of children obese

Wyoming: Rank, 50 -- 8.7% of children obese



By Daniel DeNoon
Reviewed by Louise Chang
©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Add a Comment See all 29 Comments

by ubrew12 August 20, 2008 3:46 PM PDT

"Straight in, suck up and go,
Cool it, swallow, swallow
Breathe deep, take it all
It comes cheap
Push it through the doors
Because in between the lines
Im gonna pack more lines
Im no crazy creep, Ive got it coming
To me because Im not satisfied
The hunger keeps on growing
I eat too much
I drink too much
I want too much
Too much"

Drill offshore. That''s solve everything.

Reply to this comment

by August 20, 2008 4:04 PM PDT

Fossil fuel of the future.

Reply to this comment

by kommoncents-2009 August 20, 2008 4:05 PM PDT

By looking at the most fat states and the least fat states it''s obvious who the main culprits are.

Reply to this comment

by scottyusa August 20, 2008 5:19 PM PDT

So what should we do? Outlaw obesity? I wonder how all this data was obtained. Did they call everyone and ask them if they were fat? Do they just go by the number of people classified as obese by doctors? If so, the numbers are probably much bigger. The only cure for this is for scientists and drug companies to develop a pill that will make you lose weight. Anything short of that isn''t going to work because people just don''t care.

Reply to this comment

by wl7bzh August 20, 2008 6:04 PM PDT

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

Reply to this comment

by barbaram99 August 20, 2008 6:25 PM PDT

They took recess out of school.
They raised the prices of the healthy food.
The poor must buy junk ,
As the rich eat a proper meal
the rest eat poorly.
Greed and money.
who is the fattest..
the rich..

Reply to this comment

by blazercoach1 August 20, 2008 6:49 PM PDT

Sure Barbara, that renowned rich state of Mississippi leading the way....You had a good point until the very end.

Education, education, education. Wouldn''t all of you agree that the more educated you are, the more wealthy you TEND to be? I find it likely that educated people not only have the resources but the KNOWLEDGE to make better food/lifestyle choices.

Nothing surpising here as America gets dumber and dumber...and fatter and fatter.

Reply to this comment

by kc9cvr August 20, 2008 7:06 PM PDT

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

Posted by wl7bzh at 06:04 PM : Aug 20, 2008

~That would be because when you have very little money and have to watch every little bit you spend, the cheapest food is also the least healthy. Walk through any grocery store, and you''ll see it if you pay attention. All the healthy food costs at least twice as much as the junkier stuff. And when you are buying for quantity, you don''t have much choice. Believe me, I hate grocery shopping because of it. No matter how much I try to change our diet, it doesn''t help much because if we buy healthy, we get less food and if we get more food, is not so healthy.

Reply to this comment

by estabwary August 20, 2008 8:59 PM PDT

Another headless fat person pic.
But with a flag -- does that mean it is patriotic to be fat?....or do they want fat people to wear flags?
So is it by residence or are they double-dippin
if we do work in a another state?

Reply to this comment

by payasyougo August 21, 2008 12:38 AM PDT

Colorado: Rank, 51 -- 18.4% of adults obese
----
Congratulations, Colorado!

Reply to this comment

by payasyougo August 21, 2008 12:41 AM PDT

"Education, education, education. Wouldn''''t all of you agree that the more educated you are, the more wealthy you TEND to be? I find it likely that educated people not only have the resources but the KNOWLEDGE to make better food/lifestyle choices."
----
So you are saying that Colorado is full of wealthy people since they are the least fat?

Reply to this comment

by payasyougo August 21, 2008 12:43 AM PDT

Texas: Rank, 15 -- 27.2% of adults obese
Texas: Rank, 6 -- 19.1% of children obese
----
Rick (aka Mr. Photo Op), are you paying attention?

That is 1 in 5 children and 1 in 4 adults, sir.

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:10 AM PDT

"Millions of Americans are watching our countrymen compete in the Olympics. But fewer and fewer of us bear any resemblance to those lean, fit figures."

Give those young Olympians another 20 years. They won''t bear any resemblance to those lean, fit figures either. LMAO-----but not enough of it to make a weight difference..... LOL

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:17 AM PDT

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

Posted by wl7bzh at 06:04 PM : Aug 20, 2008


A little scientific understanding goes a long way. Obesity is stored fat. Most poor people buy the cheapest but most filling food that they can. That is starches, carbs and grease. Cheaper to buy rice, pasta and some fat bacon now, than to buy seafood. In the body--unused carbs (starches) convert immediately into sugar--then into fat. There are carbs in veggies, in soda, chips are carb discs, beans are high in carbs--the only food low in carbs are protein and fat.

Any diet which mixes carbs and fat or carbs and protein but rely heavily on carbs--guarantee fat. Because carbs digest very quickly--you get hungry sooner and then also eat more--they also trigger responses in the brain to eat more.

Obesity has less to do with how much you eat and more to do with what is eaten. The foods that can fill you up yet not deliver a lot of useless carbs--cost the most--that is meat and seafood. Chips and dip or Nachos or pasta and cheese sauce are a lot cheaper than chicken--take less prep time and is filling.

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:21 AM PDT

Maybe so many are getting fat due to evolution. We are about to enter a huge energy crisis and possibly have to deal with famine. In cold weather, the fat will insulate. In famine conditions, the fat will supply energy. The irony of fat is that in a feast and famine environment or in cold weather--the fat person would survive the longest. Those who have the smallest body to fat ratio, would starve or freeze a lot sooner than the fattys. So maybe mother nature is preparing America for her future and in that future--only the fatties will survive/endure.

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:29 AM PDT

ou don''''t have to be wealthy to eat right. it''''s always, always cheaper to make your own meals from scratch, and easy to access recipes, than it is to go to mcdonald''''s. but is it easier? is this a matter of laziness, or perhaps the lower socioeconomic classes are lacking access to the information they need to discern healthy from disastrous food types? maybe. but look at Shaq. incredibly rich, and eats like a hog let out of his pen, i.e., he eats junk. that''''s just one example. are obese folks really that unaware of what is in the food they eat? seriously? I doubt it.

Posted by smart4peace at 07:10 PM : Aug 20, 2008

That used to be true. It is NOT true any longer (unless you are eating bologna and a pack of Ramen noodles)


3 McDonalds value meals with drink: 15.47

A package of chicken breasts (4 to a pack) 12.97
head of lettuce------------1.49
cucumber------------------1.19
tomato---------------------.79
onion-----------------------.68
salad dressing--------------2.49
2 cans of greenbeans--------1.68
_______________________________________
TOTAL--------------------------21.29

And that is not counting the energy costs to bake that chicken, the prorated use of cooking oil, the cost of seasonings or the cost of water if a person does not drink tap water.

This is the new America--where it is NOT cheaper to cook your own food or sew your own clothes, any longer. (unless you severely limit your diet and recycle clothing material)

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:47 AM PDT

What is really, really scary about this, is that Obese only measures those with a BMI over 30 or persons who weigh at least 25 lbs over their ideal weight. This means that all the overweight people are not factored in, --only those who are at least 25 lbs above the norm are.

This means the numbers are misleading and are a lot higher. Next year, many of those in the overweight category, might be in the obese category--after all, if someone should weigh 127 lbs for their height and gender, but currently weigh 147--they are not considered obese--but if they keep adding weight in the avg 10 lbs per year increments, then by the next year--they are 157 lbs and are included as obese.

Incidentally, these numbers are based on info from doctors and insurance companies. The real numbers are much higher. There is a good chance that on avg over 65% of all Americans are overweight, with at least 35% of those being obese.

Reply to this comment

by toldyouso12 August 21, 2008 6:57 AM PDT

Another factor: some of the rankings are inaccurate or misleading due to population density. Not enough people in the state means the numbers get skewed and look worse or better without accurately reflecting that state.

I can say that due to transient pop. (We all move around) nothing is static. This means a sparsely populated state would have their ranking skewed easily if a family of porkers moved to it and another state could improve if the same family of porkers leave. Apples should be compared with apples. States with populations over say 5 million should be compared to other like states, etc. We should also include the numbers of various minorities as it is well known that Hispanic and African Americans have large numbers of obese peoplew within their respective races. The demographics of each group in each state can also affect those numbers though we should note that Florida has a very high population of minorities and its ranking is a lot better than many other states.

It appears where there is a lot to do, such as hiking, camping, amusement parks, beaches--there are better numbers. Also, where there is pressure to stay small due to bikinis (CA, FL, HI seem to also encourage people to stay in better shape)

Reply to this comment

by velocity31 August 21, 2008 9:50 AM PDT

It''s not about eating. But exercising. Diet and exercise. That''s the key.

Reply to this comment

by skinnyminny2 August 21, 2008 10:14 AM PDT

Why do they insist on reporting this? People are choosing to be fat, so let them! They buy, chew and swallow. Only they decide what goes in their mouths. I choose to eat whole natural foods, run a lot and be skinny. Everyone has this power and ability, they only need to choose to use it. And don''t tell me people are ''too uneducated'' to know fried or sugary stff is bad for ''em.

Reply to this comment

by ddaryl1 August 21, 2008 10:41 AM PDT

the fact is eating healthy is expensive. Fruits and vegetables and good lean meats can eat up a budget. Especially for lower income people.

Also so many people work 50 - 60 hours a week, and eating helathy usually requires preperation. I know after I put in a 50 hours week and then come home and work around the house some I don''t want to be bothered prepping a good wholesome healthy meal.

This issue go much further then just personal choice, it is being driven by capitalism/inflation,wage stagnation, and of course personal choice

If people are making more money and working less or have a spouse / loved one who doesn''t have ot work full time too, then we would see people being better able to plan better meals, and eating better IMO.

Our society has alot to do with this, and someday those who deny this and just say dumb things like "these people are choising to be fat so let them" might actually be able to concieve how it all has causee and effect...

Reply to this comment

by skinnyminny2 August 21, 2008 11:15 AM PDT

Eating healthy is not expensive. One can get dry lentils or beans very cheaply, and even frozen vegetables can be found on sale for decent prices. Taking one night a week to plan and prepare cuts down on preparation time. I really don''t care who is fat and who isn''t, I don''t know those people so why should I care? It only bgs me when they complain about being fat and then do nothng about it.

Reply to this comment

by skinnyminny2 August 21, 2008 11:15 AM PDT

Eating healthy is not expensive. One can get dry lentils or beans very cheaply, and even frozen vegetables can be found on sale for decent prices. Taking one night a week to plan and prepare cuts down on preparation time. I really don''t care who is fat and who isn''t, I don''t know those people so why should I care? It only bgs me when they complain about being fat and then do nothng about it.

Reply to this comment

by avigil2 August 21, 2008 12:08 PM PDT

While I acknowledge that some obese people can''t exercise regularly due to serious health issues, most Americans are just lazy. Get off from your couch and hit the gym, park, bike lanes, whatever. Just quit getting so frickn'' fat. It''s embarrassing.

Reply to this comment

by wl7bzh August 21, 2008 12:18 PM PDT

Posted by toldyouso12 at 06:17 AM : Aug 21, 2008
-------------------------------------------------
Posted by kc9cvr at 07:06 PM : Aug 20, 2008
------------------------------------------------


Both of your arguments that the cheapest food is the least healthy is bogus.

Beans, lentils, corn and other non-processed foods are much cheaper than the processed junk foods.

The issue is one of cultural diversity and what each ethnic group considers an acceptable diet.

Reply to this comment

by rotiprata-2009 August 21, 2008 12:36 PM PDT

i happen to be obese, but i''m working on it.

i have to agree with skinnyminny2. it''s easy to buy healthy, inexpensive ingredients. they''re just not things that all people want to eat. most dried legumes are very inexpensive, and a lot of vegetables are as well. my local supermarket has a lot of greens right now for 69 cents a pound. i stocked up on collards, turnip, and mustard greens. many times, ethnic grocery stores have inexpensive, healthy items too. we have a mexican grocery store chain that invariably has chicken legs or thighs for less than a dollar a pound.

i work 50 hours a week and do all the cooking for my household. i find that especially in summer, it''s easy to grill a little extra, and have meals for a few days. also, a slow cooker is great for bean dishes, many of which can be made very low fat, but tasty, and inexpensively.

a pack a lunch most days that i work, but most of my coworkers (fat or otherwise) go out to eat, and eat ***. they spend 6-12 dollars on lunch every day, and my cost ends up being less than $4, including energy costs.

if only i can stay motivated to keep being active, i might have a chance with this weight too.

Reply to this comment

by sly_64 August 21, 2008 1:00 PM PDT

These people are definatley not busy. But then again, I don''t eat much regardless. The food portions they serve everywhere are way out of hand. I can''t finsh a footlong sub. And I''m a 43 yr old man, 162lbs

Reply to this comment

by libsluv2spit August 21, 2008 11:12 PM PDT

and they are worried of rising price of food..SPOILED!!

Reply to this comment

by tootall10142 August 23, 2008 11:23 AM PDT

I counted 57 obese woman walking into a k.f.c the other day and thier kids were way over weight.These people are killing thier kids.There are so many child abuse laws on the books but not one that makes it a jailable offense to feed your kids to death.Parents that do this may in fore sight love thier kids but they are actually loving them to a life of pain bad health and bad mental health from the ridicule they get from other kids.until they gey home and mommy says go wash up for dinner and get in the car we are to have pizza tonight will that cheer you up?Social security may be in bind righy now but the up coming generation will pay in all thier working life and then die from heart disease in thier 30s or even for dome in thier twenties. So rest easy all you healthy eaters youre retirement is being proped up by a generation that will collect it.When they become obese and cant walk or wipe thier asss without help.they are closer to the graveyrad and will leave a slot on the welfare roll for the off spring of the next child killer.

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[ubrew12]

"Straight in, suck up and go,
Cool it, swallow, swallow
Breathe deep, take it all
It comes cheap
Push it through the doors
Because in between the lines
Im gonna pack more lines
Im no crazy creep, Ive got it coming
To me because Im not satisfied
The hunger keeps on growing
I eat too much
I drink too much
I want too much
Too much"

Drill offshore. That''s solve everything.

Fossil fuel of the future.

[kommoncents-2009]

By looking at the most fat states and the least fat states it''s obvious who the main culprits are.

[scottyusa]

So what should we do? Outlaw obesity? I wonder how all this data was obtained. Did they call everyone and ask them if they were fat? Do they just go by the number of people classified as obese by doctors? If so, the numbers are probably much bigger. The only cure for this is for scientists and drug companies to develop a pill that will make you lose weight. Anything short of that isn''t going to work because people just don''t care.

[wl7bzh]

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

[barbaram99]

They took recess out of school.
They raised the prices of the healthy food.
The poor must buy junk ,
As the rich eat a proper meal
the rest eat poorly.
Greed and money.
who is the fattest..
the rich..

[blazercoach1]

Sure Barbara, that renowned rich state of Mississippi leading the way....You had a good point until the very end.

Education, education, education. Wouldn''t all of you agree that the more educated you are, the more wealthy you TEND to be? I find it likely that educated people not only have the resources but the KNOWLEDGE to make better food/lifestyle choices.

Nothing surpising here as America gets dumber and dumber...and fatter and fatter.

[kc9cvr]

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

Posted by wl7bzh at 06:04 PM : Aug 20, 2008

~That would be because when you have very little money and have to watch every little bit you spend, the cheapest food is also the least healthy. Walk through any grocery store, and you''ll see it if you pay attention. All the healthy food costs at least twice as much as the junkier stuff. And when you are buying for quantity, you don''t have much choice. Believe me, I hate grocery shopping because of it. No matter how much I try to change our diet, it doesn''t help much because if we buy healthy, we get less food and if we get more food, is not so healthy.

[estabwary]

Another headless fat person pic.
But with a flag -- does that mean it is patriotic to be fat?....or do they want fat people to wear flags?
So is it by residence or are they double-dippin
if we do work in a another state?

[payasyougo]

Colorado: Rank, 51 -- 18.4% of adults obese
----
Congratulations, Colorado!

[payasyougo]

"Education, education, education. Wouldn''''t all of you agree that the more educated you are, the more wealthy you TEND to be? I find it likely that educated people not only have the resources but the KNOWLEDGE to make better food/lifestyle choices."
----
So you are saying that Colorado is full of wealthy people since they are the least fat?

[payasyougo]

Texas: Rank, 15 -- 27.2% of adults obese
Texas: Rank, 6 -- 19.1% of children obese
----
Rick (aka Mr. Photo Op), are you paying attention?

That is 1 in 5 children and 1 in 4 adults, sir.

[toldyouso12]

"Millions of Americans are watching our countrymen compete in the Olympics. But fewer and fewer of us bear any resemblance to those lean, fit figures."

Give those young Olympians another 20 years. They won''t bear any resemblance to those lean, fit figures either. LMAO-----but not enough of it to make a weight difference..... LOL

[toldyouso12]

Is it just me or does it seem that everyone on the news complaining of not having enough money to buy food is always 40 to 50 pounds overweight?

Posted by wl7bzh at 06:04 PM : Aug 20, 2008


A little scientific understanding goes a long way. Obesity is stored fat. Most poor people buy the cheapest but most filling food that they can. That is starches, carbs and grease. Cheaper to buy rice, pasta and some fat bacon now, than to buy seafood. In the body--unused carbs (starches) convert immediately into sugar--then into fat. There are carbs in veggies, in soda, chips are carb discs, beans are high in carbs--the only food low in carbs are protein and fat.

Any diet which mixes carbs and fat or carbs and protein but rely heavily on carbs--guarantee fat. Because carbs digest very quickly--you get hungry sooner and then also eat more--they also trigger responses in the brain to eat more.

Obesity has less to do with how much you eat and more to do with what is eaten. The foods that can fill you up yet not deliver a lot of useless carbs--cost the most--that is meat and seafood. Chips and dip or Nachos or pasta and cheese sauce are a lot cheaper than chicken--take less prep time and is filling.

[toldyouso12]

Maybe so many are getting fat due to evolution. We are about to enter a huge energy crisis and possibly have to deal with famine. In cold weather, the fat will insulate. In famine conditions, the fat will supply energy. The irony of fat is that in a feast and famine environment or in cold weather--the fat person would survive the longest. Those who have the smallest body to fat ratio, would starve or freeze a lot sooner than the fattys. So maybe mother nature is preparing America for her future and in that future--only the fatties will survive/endure.

[toldyouso12]

ou don''''t have to be wealthy to eat right. it''''s always, always cheaper to make your own meals from scratch, and easy to access recipes, than it is to go to mcdonald''''s. but is it easier? is this a matter of laziness, or perhaps the lower socioeconomic classes are lacking access to the information they need to discern healthy from disastrous food types? maybe. but look at Shaq. incredibly rich, and eats like a hog let out of his pen, i.e., he eats junk. that''''s just one example. are obese folks really that unaware of what is in the food they eat? seriously? I doubt it.

Posted by smart4peace at 07:10 PM : Aug 20, 2008

That used to be true. It is NOT true any longer (unless you are eating bologna and a pack of Ramen noodles)


3 McDonalds value meals with drink: 15.47

A package of chicken breasts (4 to a pack) 12.97
head of lettuce------------1.49
cucumber------------------1.19
tomato---------------------.79
onion-----------------------.68
salad dressing--------------2.49
2 cans of greenbeans--------1.68
_______________________________________
TOTAL--------------------------21.29

And that is not counting the energy costs to bake that chicken, the prorated use of cooking oil, the cost of seasonings or the cost of water if a person does not drink tap water.

This is the new America--where it is NOT cheaper to cook your own food or sew your own clothes, any longer. (unless you severely limit your diet and recycle clothing material)

[toldyouso12]

What is really, really scary about this, is that Obese only measures those with a BMI over 30 or persons who weigh at least 25 lbs over their ideal weight. This means that all the overweight people are not factored in, --only those who are at least 25 lbs above the norm are.

This means the numbers are misleading and are a lot higher. Next year, many of those in the overweight category, might be in the obese category--after all, if someone should weigh 127 lbs for their height and gender, but currently weigh 147--they are not considered obese--but if they keep adding weight in the avg 10 lbs per year increments, then by the next year--they are 157 lbs and are included as obese.

Incidentally, these numbers are based on info from doctors and insurance companies. The real numbers are much higher. There is a good chance that on avg over 65% of all Americans are overweight, with at least 35% of those being obese.

[toldyouso12]

Another factor: some of the rankings are inaccurate or misleading due to population density. Not enough people in the state means the numbers get skewed and look worse or better without accurately reflecting that state.

I can say that due to transient pop. (We all move around) nothing is static. This means a sparsely populated state would have their ranking skewed easily if a family of porkers moved to it and another state could improve if the same family of porkers leave. Apples should be compared with apples. States with populations over say 5 million should be compared to other like states, etc. We should also include the numbers of various minorities as it is well known that Hispanic and African Americans have large numbers of obese peoplew within their respective races. The demographics of each group in each state can also affect those numbers though we should note that Florida has a very high population of minorities and its ranking is a lot better than many other states.

It appears where there is a lot to do, such as hiking, camping, amusement parks, beaches--there are better numbers. Also, where there is pressure to stay small due to bikinis (CA, FL, HI seem to also encourage people to stay in better shape)

[velocity31]

It''s not about eating. But exercising. Diet and exercise. That''s the key.

[skinnyminny2]

Why do they insist on reporting this? People are choosing to be fat, so let them! They buy, chew and swallow. Only they decide what goes in their mouths. I choose to eat whole natural foods, run a lot and be skinny. Everyone has this power and ability, they only need to choose to use it. And don''t tell me people are ''too uneducated'' to know fried or sugary stff is bad for ''em.

[ddaryl1]

the fact is eating healthy is expensive. Fruits and vegetables and good lean meats can eat up a budget. Especially for lower income people.

Also so many people work 50 - 60 hours a week, and eating helathy usually requires preperation. I know after I put in a 50 hours week and then come home and work around the house some I don''t want to be bothered prepping a good wholesome healthy meal.

This issue go much further then just personal choice, it is being driven by capitalism/inflation,wage stagnation, and of course personal choice

If people are making more money and working less or have a spouse / loved one who doesn''t have ot work full time too, then we would see people being better able to plan better meals, and eating better IMO.

Our society has alot to do with this, and someday those who deny this and just say dumb things like "these people are choising to be fat so let them" might actually be able to concieve how it all has causee and effect...

[skinnyminny2]

Eating healthy is not expensive. One can get dry lentils or beans very cheaply, and even frozen vegetables can be found on sale for decent prices. Taking one night a week to plan and prepare cuts down on preparation time. I really don''t care who is fat and who isn''t, I don''t know those people so why should I care? It only bgs me when they complain about being fat and then do nothng about it.

[skinnyminny2]

Eating healthy is not expensive. One can get dry lentils or beans very cheaply, and even frozen vegetables can be found on sale for decent prices. Taking one night a week to plan and prepare cuts down on preparation time. I really don''t care who is fat and who isn''t, I don''t know those people so why should I care? It only bgs me when they complain about being fat and then do nothng about it.

[avigil2]

While I acknowledge that some obese people can''t exercise regularly due to serious health issues, most Americans are just lazy. Get off from your couch and hit the gym, park, bike lanes, whatever. Just quit getting so frickn'' fat. It''s embarrassing.

[wl7bzh]

Posted by toldyouso12 at 06:17 AM : Aug 21, 2008
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Posted by kc9cvr at 07:06 PM : Aug 20, 2008
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Both of your arguments that the cheapest food is the least healthy is bogus.

Beans, lentils, corn and other non-processed foods are much cheaper than the processed junk foods.

The issue is one of cultural diversity and what each ethnic group considers an acceptable diet.

[rotiprata-2009]

i happen to be obese, but i''m working on it.

i have to agree with skinnyminny2. it''s easy to buy healthy, inexpensive ingredients. they''re just not things that all people want to eat. most dried legumes are very inexpensive, and a lot of vegetables are as well. my local supermarket has a lot of greens right now for 69 cents a pound. i stocked up on collards, turnip, and mustard greens. many times, ethnic grocery stores have inexpensive, healthy items too. we have a mexican grocery store chain that invariably has chicken legs or thighs for less than a dollar a pound.

i work 50 hours a week and do all the cooking for my household. i find that especially in summer, it''s easy to grill a little extra, and have meals for a few days. also, a slow cooker is great for bean dishes, many of which can be made very low fat, but tasty, and inexpensively.

a pack a lunch most days that i work, but most of my coworkers (fat or otherwise) go out to eat, and eat ***. they spend 6-12 dollars on lunch every day, and my cost ends up being less than $4, including energy costs.

if only i can stay motivated to keep being active, i might have a chance with this weight too.

[sly_64]

These people are definatley not busy. But then again, I don''t eat much regardless. The food portions they serve everywhere are way out of hand. I can''t finsh a footlong sub. And I''m a 43 yr old man, 162lbs

[libsluv2spit]

and they are worried of rising price of food..SPOILED!!

[tootall10142]

I counted 57 obese woman walking into a k.f.c the other day and thier kids were way over weight.These people are killing thier kids.There are so many child abuse laws on the books but not one that makes it a jailable offense to feed your kids to death.Parents that do this may in fore sight love thier kids but they are actually loving them to a life of pain bad health and bad mental health from the ridicule they get from other kids.until they gey home and mommy says go wash up for dinner and get in the car we are to have pizza tonight will that cheer you up?Social security may be in bind righy now but the up coming generation will pay in all thier working life and then die from heart disease in thier 30s or even for dome in thier twenties. So rest easy all you healthy eaters youre retirement is being proped up by a generation that will collect it.When they become obese and cant walk or wipe thier asss without help.they are closer to the graveyrad and will leave a slot on the welfare roll for the off spring of the next child killer.