Did We Lose Weight Summary: An analysis by CalorieLab of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's state-by-state statistics for adult obesity percentages showed that the southern states lead by Mississippi had the highest obesity rate. Colorado was the leanest state followed by Hawaii and Connecticut.

What does this mean to you? Knowing how the state where you live rates in the obesity map will give you more awareness of whether you should make some lifestyle changes for you and your family's health. Furthermore, this will give you better awareness of your food choices and how food is prepared in your community.  

For 2008 Mississippi has claimed the title of fattest state for the third consecutive year, while Colorado repeats as the leanest. Delaware rose the most places in the rankings over last year, while California dropped the most, according to a new analysis by CalorieLab, Inc.

Most Obese States

West Virginia passed Alabama to become the second fattest state in 2008. The four states of Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama, and Louisiana have obese populations that exceed 30 percent over a three-year average and two-thirds of the citizens of Mississippi and West Virginia were either overweight or obese by CDC standards in 2007.

Also not faring well this year was Delaware, which rose eight places to tie with North Dakota as the 21st fattest state, from last year’s 29th placing. Delaware’s 3-year obesity rate rose 2.4 percent.

 

Thinnest States

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Colorado repeats as the slimmest state, despite a slight increase in obesity of 0.8 percent over three years. Last year Governor Bill Ritter of Colorado told CalorieLab, “[W]e’re not spared from the national obesity epidemic, and we must remain vigilant in order to guard against it. We’re doing all we can to encourage Coloradans — especially our kids — to take advantage of the natural resources our state offers in order to stay fit, healthy and happy.”

Hawaii enters the rankings for the first time in 2008 at number 50, the second slimmest state after Colorado. Hawaii had not conducted annual BMI surveys until 2005, so the required three years of data was not available until this year.

Last year California was the only state whose obesity rate held steady. This year it eaked up by 0.4 percent, but because of the overall increase in obesity nationwide California’s ranking dropped five places, from 36th fattest state to 41st fattest state.

The only state to get slimmer this year is not actually a state: the District of Columbia’s three-year obesity rate dropped by 0.1 percent.

Regional Obesity Trends

In general, states in the West and New England rank lowest in the fattest states rankings, while states in the South and the Rust Belt tend to rank highest.

CalorieLab computed the fattest state rankings for this year based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rankings use a three-year average in order to smooth out statistical fluctuations.

Because of the overall increase in obesity, CalorieLab this year shifted the color coding used in its map one percentage point higher to maintain an approximately equal number of states per color. This means that this year’s map cannot be directly compared to last year’s and or any year prior to that.