How Obese is Your State?

Take a look around your hometown and do a quick assessment. Does the number of heavier people seem to outweigh the ones that are fit and trim? Now, take a peek at your own belly—how does it size up? If things seem to stray on the weighty side, then your city may fall into one of the most obese areas in the globe.

The national numbers don’t get any better. According to the statistics released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. obese population jumped to 26% in 2007, up 2% from 2005. This issue contributes to the fact that not a single state has yet to achieve the national goal to lower obesity rates by 15% or less by 2010.

Health experts say the goal will be a tough one to achieve, and that people need to begin to focus on eating more fruits and vegetables in addition to exercising. Cutting out high-calorie foods and sugar are also important to begin accomplishing weight loss goals on national, state and local levels.

Curious where your state ranks? The most overweight states were Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee with more than 30% of their populations classified as obese. Not too far behind were Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. On the other hand, the skinniest state was Colorado with an 18.7% obesity rate in 2007. Trailing the Rocky Mountain state was Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Utah, Montana and Washington, D.C. where no one had an obesity rate that was less than 20%.

Want to help your state top the weight loss scale this year? Sign up for First30Days weight loss email tips and get moving now! [ABC News]