Forbes Magazine Top 10 Obese States - Agree or Disagree?

Im surprised I don't see the southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi. Obesity is rampant here and it seems every other person had Type II Diabetes.

Yeah this definitely looks inaccurate to me. I've lived all over the US, and New England probably has the most fit people of any region in the country. Southern states (Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas etc) are some of the most obese.

All that southern cooking.

A US World News report lists the following:

1. Mississippi: Once again, this is the fattest state. About 32.5 percent of its adult residents are obese, which means a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30. (That translates to more than 197 pounds on a 5'8" person.)

2. Alabama: It has an obesity rate of 31.2 percent, and an additional 35.3 percent of Alabamans are overweight (a BMI of between 25 and 29.9). Plus, it's among the top 10 most physically inactive states.

3. West Virginia: With an obesity rate of 31.1 percent, this state also has the highest percentage of adult diabetes in the nation, at 11.6 percent.

4. Tennessee: While residents are becoming more physically active, their stats still aren't great. The obesity rate is 30.2 percent, and an additional 36.7 percent are overweight.

5. South Carolina: With a 29.7 percent obesity rate and a 35.8 percent overweight rate, it's not surprising that South Carolina is also among the 10 states with the highest rates of adult diabetes and high blood pressure.

6. Oklahoma: Oklahoma's obesity rate jumped by 1.4 percentage points, to 29.5 percent. Not surprisingly, the prevalence of adult diabetes also rose significantly.

7. Kentucky: Kentucky is the second-least physically active state, which may partly explain why its obesity rate is 29 percent. An additional 38.4 percent of residents are overweight.

8. Louisiana: Its obesity rate is 28.9 percent, but that actually may be a tiny decline from last year. And it was one of four states to show a significant decrease in physical inactivity.

9. Michigan: Its obesity rate rose more than a percentage point to 28.8 percent, while the prevalence of diabetes and physical inactivity also rose.

10. Arkansas and Ohio: Both states clocked in with a 28.6 percent obesity rate, though Arkansas has more overweight people. And Ohio has a lower prevalence of physical inactivity, at 25 percent to Arkansas's 28.8 percent.

They should check out the top fattest cities. I'm from Buffalo and we have some killer food like no other.... Not to mention, not to many people here make fitness a priority.

I would have never figured Florida with all those beaches!!! However, I live in Michigan and everyone here is HUGE, okay a lot of people I think its challenging here because everyone is broke and can't afford a gym membership, because in the winter time the frigid cold and snow make it nearly impossible to be active outside!!!

I disagree with this list. I moved from Kentucky to Colorado about 12 years ago. It was like going from one extreme to another. When I lived in Kentucky, people considered going for a walk around the block as their workout for the day. Not trying to be mean, I'm just saying . . . . Here in Colorado, there are miles of bike trails in most neighborhoods. And we are talking miles and miles! It's not unusual to go out for a two hour bike ride. People are so active here. The kids walk to school and you see people outside all the time running or walking their dogs or riding bikes.

When my dad comes out to visit from Kentucky, he always mentions one difference he has noticed. You have to look long and hard to find an all-you-can-eat restaurant here. I guess there are lots more in Kentucky!

Don't get me wrong, I love my home state. It is truly a very friendly and beautiful place. But I love all the opportunities to be active here and I doubt I could go back to that type of lifestyle again. It's a whole different mindset here.

I lived in TN for 16 years and saw the toll of all the good homecooked meals and lack of exercise took every day. When my aunt (who lives in Los Angeles) visited, let's just say she couldn't believe the difference. :huh:

this looks like the least obese list

this

Yeeeaah, that list has to be incorrect. I'm from Mississippi and I promise you this is a very obese state. We have high obesity, high unemployment rates and high teen pregnancies. Normally, we are on top of the "Worst of" lists. It's pretty sad, actually. Bless the governor's wife. She's pushing a "Let's Go Walking, Mississippi" campaign but it's not working. :huh:

Very surprised not to see North Carolina on there.
Maybe the beach folk average us out.
I live up near the mountains and I think 3/4 of the people I see are obese.
I work at GNC so we have lots of people coming in looking for the magical diet pill

I disagree with this list. I moved from Kentucky to Colorado about 12 years ago. It was like going from one extreme to another. When I lived in Kentucky, people considered going for a walk around the block as their workout for the day. Not trying to be mean, I'm just saying . . . . Here in Colorado, there are miles of bike trails in most neighborhoods. And we are talking miles and miles! It's not unusual to go out for a two hour bike ride. People are so active here. The kids walk to school and you see people outside all the time running or walking their dogs or riding bikes.

When my dad comes out to visit from Kentucky, he always mentions one difference he has noticed. You have to look long and hard to find an all-you-can-eat restaurant here. I guess there are lots more in Kentucky!

Don't get me wrong, I love my home state. It is truly a very friendly and beautiful place. But I love all the opportunities to be active here and I doubt I could go back to that type of lifestyle again. It's a whole different mindset here.

ITA! I am in Denver, and people are really active, year round! We have a ton of sunny days here, and people are out and about even if it is freezing. Lots of healthy restaurants here too, including some amazing Vegetarian/Vegan ones....I love my adopted state :drinker:

Naw, this is totally wrong. Alabama and North Carolina should be on the top of that list.