Obesity on the Rise - How Does Your State Measure Up?

Monica Sanchez | May 27, 2015
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Despite all of the diets and health supplements available today, obesity in America is on the rise. 

According to a Gallup-Healthways study released on Wednesday, the national obesity rate is higher now than when Gallup started tracking the measure back in 2008.

“The national obesity rate continued to rise in 2014 to 27.7%, up from 27.1% in 2013 and significantly higher than the 25.5% recorded in 2008,” Gallup writes.

Regionally, “Obesity rates continue to be highest in Southern and Midwestern states and lowest in Western and Northeastern states.”

Hawaii residents were the least likely to be obese in 2014, with an obesity rate of 19%. On the other end of the spectrum stood the Midwestern state of Mississippi, holding the highest obesity rate in the nation for the second year in a row at 32.5%.

Check out how your state measures up below.

A person's weight often has strong ties to his or her overall well-being. The more obese, the more likely a person will experience chronic health issues including high blood pressure, depression, cancer, and diabetes.

Even more, “Obesity-related health problems could drive up healthcare costs and potentially have larger economic implications for states that suffer most,” Gallup argues. 

Ironically, among other factors, the multi-billion-dollar weight-loss industry that advertises these ridiculous fad diets and magic supplements has contributed to an increase in obesity, documentaries such as Hungry for Change and similar studies find.

Most diets create unrealistic expectations and encourage failure, creating a vicious cycle for men and women seeking to lead a healthier lifestyle.

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