What Is The Most Obese State In America? [CHART]

An in depth study released by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines a state by state account of adult obesity, and even ranks the states (including the District of Columbia) from heaviest to least heaviest.. What state has the largest percentage of adults considered obese (ie. a body mass index of over 30%)?

Bad news for the states of Mississippi and West Virginia, as both tied for number one with 35.1% of adults reported as obese. In fact, many of the heaviest states tend to come from the American South and Appalachia. New York and New Jersey didn't do too awful, as Jersey ranked #39 out of 51 with an obesity average of 26.3%, and NY coming in at #42 with an average of 25.4%. Colorado was the most fit state with an average of 21.3%. It should be noted however, that the national average has risen considerably over the past couple of decades.

See the full chart HERE

From the Huffington Post

Obesity has been rising over the last few decades. Thirty years ago, no state had an obesity rate above 15 percent, while in 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. In 2000, no state had an obesity rate above 25 percent. Now, two states have obesity rates over 35 percent. (Adults with a body mass index of 30 or more are considered obese.)

Read more on the findings on the State of Obesity HERE