F as in Fat:’ Report Says Obesity Rates Continue to Grow

WASHINGTON–Adult obesity rates increased in 31 states last
year–and no states saw a decrease. According to “F as in Fat: How
Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2007,” the fourth annual
report from health advocacy group Trust for America’s Health says
22 states saw increased obesity for the second year in a row. And
for the third year in a row, Mississippi weighed in at number one.
Of the 15 states with the highest rates of obesity, 10 are in the
South. Among the report’s other findings: –Mississippi, with a
30.6 percent adult obesity rate, is the first state to top 30
percent. –Colorado is the leanest state, though its obesity rate
increased from 16.9 to 17.6 percent over the past year. –Adult
obesity rates are now greater than 25 percent in 19 states, up from
14 states last year and nine states in 2005; no state had a rate
greater than 20 percent in 1991. –Rates of overweight children age
10 to 17 were highest in Washington, D.C. (22.8 percent), and
lowest in Utah (8.5 percent). –Of the 10 states with the highest
rate of overweight children, eight are in the South. –22 percent
of adults in the country say they do not engage in any physical
activity. TFAH advocates the implementation of a national strategy
to combat obesity by the federal government and says the plan
“should involve every federal government agency, define clear roles
and responsibilities for states and localities, and engage private
industry and community groups.” The report can be downloaded at the
Trust for America’s Health Web site, www.healthyamericans.org.