No State Shows Drop In Adult Obesity!

Adult obesity rates continue to climb across the USA: 31 states showed increases last year and not a single state notched a decline, according to a study released Monday. Mississippi became the first state to crack the 30% barrier for adult residents considered obese, according to the Trust for America's Health, a non-profit research group that focuses on disease prevention. Colorado was the leanest state with an obesity rate projected at 17.6%. (The rankings are based on a comparison of self-reported height and weight data from 2003-2005 and 2004-2006.) This year's report, for the first time, also examined rates of overweight children ages 10 to 17. The District of Columbia had the highest percentage (22.8%); Utah had the lowest (8.5%). Overweight adults and children are at an increased risk for diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases. For a complete listing of state rankings, visit www. healthyamericans.org.