Wow, this is a major eye opener! I'm in South Carolina and I didn't think we were that bad off. Well, in the area that I live in, all I see are people jogging and walking on the track so I figured our state was pretty much healthy. It's definitely important to get these numbers down because childhood obesity is rising way to quickly. We have to save our youth and our future! - 10/25/2012   3:06:21 AM

You'll notice that the states with the highest rates of obesity also have high rates of poverty. While the states with lower obesity levels have lower rates of poverty. When a person can barely pay the rent/mortgage, how can they be expected to pay for healthcare, good quality food, gym membership, etc...

And while many members of Spark are well educated when it comes to nutrition, most of the American public just doesn't know what it means to eat right. Too many still think that French fries are a veggie ! If we want to decrease the rates of obesity, people need to be better educated about their health. It's not easy, but a person can eat healthy on a budget.
- 9/9/2012   6:21:43 AM

Wow, I can't believe Michigan and Indiana are the only 2 Northern states that made the top 10 highest obesity! And we can't necessarily always blame it on the snow. I wonder if not having enough sidewalks makes a difference. - 9/9/2012   2:10:52 AM

On the self reported obesity ratings of states Oregon rated 26.7%. I think they lie. I sometimes sit in the car at Wally world and watch the plus size people go by. Maybe we all live in Southern Oregon. - 9/7/2012   6:14:54 AM

to dreamwhopper What is the 90 day challenge? I live in Iowa, we were not on either list. I wonder where we rank! - 9/6/2012   8:34:09 AM

I have lived in So Cal my whole life. When I moved to a beach city, I lost weight. It is easier where healthy, active people live because there are more options that cater to this population. So, each one of us can become one of that population and encourage others, then many will follow. - 9/5/2012   9:27:35 PM

Our state FLORIDA has a high rate. I've been listening to Richard Johnson M.D. who wrote "The Sugar Fix" and his vlogs on YouTube have helped me understand how I got fat and what I can do to get slim again. All the sugar we have in cheap drinks (Sweet Tea anyone?) is one real issue for our Southern state. - 9/5/2012   12:22:29 AM

I went from living in the Mid-West and being 60 pounds over weight to living in Colorado and losing that weight. There is SO much to do in Colorado that is outdoors and active. It helps that there is very low humidity as well... good bye A/C! - 9/4/2012   11:19:56 AM

If BMI is in fact what they are using for this topic then I think it has to be skewed because BMI tables are skewed. My nephew weighs about 180lbs and is like 5'8". According to the BMI table he is overweight and nearly obese. He is thin as a twig and has wirey muscles for days because he hauls flats of equipment and paint and etc. around all day.
- 9/4/2012   9:18:17 AM

I have started with a 90 day challenge, have you heard of it? - 9/4/2012   2:36:29 AM

Wow. What about the other countries? I will like to know. - 9/4/2012   1:10:57 AM

This is a big health issue, for our nation and individually. I wish I could say this is an easy journey from obesity to healthy weight. But, I can't. One step forward two steps back. The idea for me, is to just keep walking, learning, doing.
- 9/3/2012   11:53:14 PM

I live in Arkansas and am fron Texas. Not so good for us southerners - 9/3/2012   10:53:44 PM

Where I live in CA everyone is obese. I guess the whole 20 percent is in the San Joaquin Valley! - 9/3/2012   9:40:35 PM

WOW! Living in Indiana, I knew that we were probably high on the list...but over 30% of the population?! So depressing to see! - 9/3/2012   5:50:31 PM

WOW! Living in Indiana, I knew that we were probably high on the list...but over 30% of the population?! So depressing to see! - 9/3/2012   5:50:31 PM

I'm in North Carolina. I'm surprised we didn't make the top ten of overweight. I'm sure we are very close to the bottom of healthy though. We certainly have our share of "super-sized" people. Fortunately, I am no longer one of them! And that's thanks to SP! Goal weight and holding for 17 months! WooHoo! - 9/3/2012   4:53:28 PM

I've already broken down the barriers. I have 1 more coming up in Oct. with my surgery, but after that I will be back pushing the limits! - 9/3/2012   4:31:34 PM

Well, my response is - that I'm working to not be in that percentage of obese people any more. It will take a while, but I will get there! - 9/3/2012   4:13:57 PM

Definitely interesting to see California listed on the 10 Healthiest states, but sad to realize that is with a 23.8% obesity rate. Which I suppose is about right given looking around and unscientifically counting the number of scrawny, athletic, healthy, overweight, and obese people I see around me.

@TALKSTOHERSELF: There was a change in around 1998 to the Overweight category, but what I could find indicated it was U.S. agencies adjusting it to match WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines. That adjustment was from 27.5 to 25 - and meant about 5 million Americans who formerly were in the "Healthy" category found themselves in the "Overweight category".

Generally if we are below 30 BMI, we're in a range where we should rely on other numbers more - such as Body Fat % from as reliable a source as we can get, Waist to Hip ratio, and the like. - 9/3/2012   1:40:10 PM

The CDC did a test study back in 2011: C.O.A.C.H.E.S. It was mainly for Senior Citizens who were over weight and UAMS was in charge of the study. The Senior Center in my town was picked. Unfortunately I didn't qualify: I'm a Sparker. The seniors were given all the information, encouraged to keep a journal of what they ate on a daily basis, and met at least once a month for updates from the CDC weight-ins. The study was a total loss on the Seniors here who participated. If anything, instead of reading the materials, following the diet guidelines and journaling none of the 12 participants lost weight. These stats are so miserably bad. I've lost the weight I wanted to lose, and kept it off. I give SPARK PEOPLE all the credit. - 9/3/2012   1:25:36 PM

According to the link, obesity is determined using BMI numbers. There's a film out there called "The Thin Commandments" that claims Weight Watchers went to the government in the 90s and asked to have the BMI overweight category lowered... I haven't seen the film yet because I can't find it anywhere, but it makes me wonder how much we should rely on BMI. At 187 pounds and 5'6", I was considered obese by BMI. At 155, I was still overweight. - 9/3/2012   1:01:16 PM

Oklahoma is ranked number 5 for the heaviest states. But Oklahoma City was recently ranked the fattest city in the US because of the lack of parks, walkability, bike lanes (or even people who will share the rode with cyclists), and the prevalence of fast food places. Looking around, I would say that is a pretty accurate conclusion. - 9/3/2012   12:53:35 PM

Very startling statistics. Missouri just barely squeeked by making it in the list of The 10 heaviest states with the highest obesity prevalence with a rate of 30.3%. I think what is concerning about this list is that it is self reported, almost makes me wonder if the issue is really worse than we know. - 9/3/2012   12:03:13 PM

It's really no suprise that my state (Texas) is ranked #1...there is a restaurant/fast food place on just about every corner in my city...and they are always crowded... - 9/3/2012   11:35:49 AM

Every time I see these statistics, I think Colorado has bragging rights,
but when you realize even there, 1 out of 5 people is OBESE...well, we have a lot to do in our land of plenty.

Obesity makes treating health conditions more difficult. When I operated, every aspect was more difficult - from transferring the person from the guerney to the operating table, for the anesthesiologist determining the correct amount of medication to administer and then ventilate, the length of the instruments required and retractors for exposure, the extensive omentum in abdominal cases, the seepage from the fatty tissue that made the wound more likely to open back up, the increased risk of blood clots during recovery, and so much more.

This IS a public health issue, and thanks to SparkPeople, more people are being given the tools to turn this around. USE THE TOOLS. Let's be better together. - 9/3/2012   10:28:11 AM