Alabama second fattest state in U.S.
Birmingham Business Journal - by Haley Aaron Staff
Alabama’s reputation as a couch potato state is rising. The state ranked second in a nationwide study of adult obesity – jumping one spot from ranking third last year.
In the study, “F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009” compiled by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 31.2 percent of the state’s adult population fell into the obese range.
That put Alabama second, slightly below Mississippi that topped the list with an adult obesity rate of 32.5 percent. It’s Mississippi’s fifth year to top the list. Last year, Alabama ranked third, behind Mississippi and West Virginia. This year, West Virginia ranked third.
Southern states reported the highest obesity rates in the study. Eight of the top 10 were located in the South.
Alabama ranked slightly better in the rate of obese children ages 10-17, placing sixth with 36.1 percent. Mississippi led that category with a youth obesity rate of 44.4 percent.
Obesity rates are on the rise nationwide. According to the study, 23 states reported an increase in adult obesity. No states reported a decrease in their percentages. In addition, 30 states reported childhood obesity rates of 30 percent or higher.
The study attributes the increasing rates to several factors, including economic conditions that may result in higher food prices and increased levels of depression and stress, which have been linked to obesity.
To see the full report, click here.
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