190 Responses to “Mississippi is the fattest state for 3rd straight year, Colorado still leanest, D.C. loses weight”

1. Monica says:

   July 8, 2008 at 1:04 pm

   Mostly Southern states on the CDC fat map — no big surprised. Everything they eat is usually fried.
2. Jack Karle says:

   July 9, 2008 at 9:03 am

   I think the folks that are fat should loose all of their government provided health care. Just like all the folks who smoke, drink, and use illegal drugs should loose theirs. Why should I have to pay for someone else’s bad decisions?
3. CROC says:

   July 10, 2008 at 7:39 am

   It’s not the people that should be punished for what they eat.. it’s the government that allows the food corporations to feed american all the bad food they want ..

   it’s not a coincidence the poorest states are also the fattest in calorielab’s obesity report on the fattest states, because cheap food is unhealthy and until the corporations are allowed to alter our food supply anyway they want we will have obesity and more importantly a list of nutrition related illnesses…
4. me says:

   July 10, 2008 at 12:47 pm

   I myself live in Mississippi. It is really a shame that people eat the way they do. It is mostly convience that I see. Fast food is convenient.It is quick and easy,and people that get off work want that.

   I have also seen many people on welfare that are obese, as are alot that are unemployed because of injury such as back and knee problems(some could be helped with less weight carrying around). But I won’t get into that.

   We just aren’t educated enough, and some of us just don’t care enough.

   Harsh reality.
5. Tianna says:

   July 10, 2008 at 5:57 pm

   I only understand Alaska being on the list of the fattest states because they have all the snow and the fat helps because food is harder to get up there.
6. Bruce says:

   July 10, 2008 at 6:33 pm

   CROC: It’s hard to imagine a more free and personal choice than what you pick up and put in your body. I’m glad the government doesn’t regulate food. I like my steak fatty and my icecream whole, but I also understand moderation (I’m 6′3″, 200#, for the record). Please don’t blame the government for making people fat and give them the ability to take away one of life’s greatest and simplest pleasures: unhealthy food. Also by blaming the government you are giving people a pass at taking responsibility themselves, which means that their behavior will never change.

   Yes, cheap food is unhealthy. Expensive food is also unhealthy ($25 prime rib anyone?). Healthy food is also cheap (how many fresh green beans can you get for the price of a big mac?). Excersise is even cheaper. How much does it cost to walk for 30 minutes a day, or play tag with your kids?

   Losing weight is simply eating less and moving more. It’s not the government’s fault if you can’t manage those two simple things.

   p.s. What’s with all the ellipses?
7. M says:

   July 10, 2008 at 8:04 pm

   BMI is an inaccurate measure of health. It should be calculated as percentage of body fat per total weight or just as a measure of body fat. Take the BMI of say Michael Jordan (6′6″ & 216 lbs) equals a BMI of 25! Which is overweight. He is by no means overweight. Understandably BMI generally predicts if someone is obese but it has problems and needs to be modified.
8. CalorieLab says:

   July 10, 2008 at 9:53 pm

   BMI is in fact an estimate of body fat percentage (not a measure of “health”), and it is quite accurate in doing this over large populations, where outlier cases average out. Of course you can get more accurate measurements for individuals, but they cost more and thus cannot be used in population-wide epidemiological studies: See our Body Fat Measurement in a Nutshell. You can’t put tens of thousands of people in hydrostatic tanks or give them DEXA scans, but you can easily measure their heights and weights, and height-weight data is also available in all kinds of pre-existing data sets.

   In some cases other indexes are better for some things: for instance waist-height ratios track heart attack risk better than BMI because they take visceral fat into account. But BMI tracks skeletal problems very well: Michael Jordan is more at risk for hip and knee problems because of his size, muscle or not. His joints don’t know the difference.
9. Ron says:

   July 10, 2008 at 10:08 pm

   To Monica who writes that everything here in the South is fried…WRONG! I live in Louisiana, and there are many foods that aren’t fried! Food in the South is very flavorful and people enjoy eating. Leanest states in the North…no surprise! I’ve tasted the “food” up there and it’s no wonder you’re the leanest!

   P.S. I’m not even ONE pound overweight!
10. Linda says:

    July 11, 2008 at 12:41 am

    I’m so surprised California is not much higher on the most obese states list!!! Anywhere I go, it seems like there is nothing but FAT people (me included, unfortunately). Very sad.
11. Michael says:

    July 11, 2008 at 12:38 pm

    I don’t think the gov’t. is responsible for obesity, but much of our unhealthy food is made more affordable because of gov’t. subsidies. If you are going to subsidize food, concentrate on fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. and lay off the processed foods. Junk foods should not be as cheap as they are.
12. anniemal says:

    July 12, 2008 at 6:49 am

    I just had to respond after reading CROC’s statement.

    The government is supposed to protect us from what food we voluntarily choose to put in our own bodies?!? If you want a nanny government, move to Europe. The government is there to provide security and other services and not to tell me what I can and can not put into my own mouth. The government already requires nutritional labels. From there, people should be able to make their own choices.
13. Carla says:

    July 12, 2008 at 7:09 am

    I grew up in Alabama, and I have lived in the skinniest state of Colorado my entire adult life. There is a very noticable difference in people’s weights between the two states. I am always amazed.

    I would think it would be easier to stay thin in the south — with much longer growing seasons than we have here in Colorado. They have access to so many more fresh fruits and veggies for so many more months out of the year than we do here. Fruits and veggies also cost quite a bit more here in grocery stores.

    I don’t think that income levels should have much at all to do with how well you eat in the South. Get a garden — and freeze fruits and veggies for the winter months.

    One other thing: I think Colorado’s activity level is substantially higher than Alabama. We have lot of people that ride their bikes to work every day, go hiking, running or spend time in the gym whenever possible. I always get up at 5:30 and ride my bike for 20 miles before I go into work in the mornings.

    Plus, we are interested in health for the most part. This morning I had an egg white omelet with ground flaxseed, spinach and tomatoes. If I had that for breakfast in the South I would never hear the end of it, and here it’s fairly normal. It’s just what you get used to.

    I grew up on biscuits and gravy for breakfast. I can still make a mean gravy by southern standards — but after eating healthy for so many years, I can barely stand the taste of many of those unhealthy foods I used to love. Going to relatives houses there, they will have several desserts made at one time. Here we generally just make desserts for special occasions — and throw out the junk food doesn’t get eaten at the party instead of putting it in the fridge for later.
14. playerstyle07@aol.com says:

    July 14, 2008 at 1:41 pm

    I would also like to remind people, that some people have are born with metabolism diorders where their metabolisms don’t work as well as a normal person an to take some of these people off health care would not be a good call. However, I also know that many Americans are overwieght simply becasue they eat too much and they can and should do something about that.
15. Katy says:

    July 14, 2008 at 8:13 pm

    I agree with playerstyle07. I’m slightly overweight, but it’s because I have a cist on my ovaries. It makes me irregular, and also makes it hard to lose weight. Excersise is hard because the cist is constantly hurting me. And nothing really helps. I understand it’s not like that for all people, but some of us can’t help it.
16. robapeop@utm.edu says:

    July 15, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    I am very overweight. When I was a child I was overweight (not by a lot mind you).

    Once I hit school, that is when I started gaining weight. Back then I wasn’t very active except on the playground. Also, fat people aren’t encouraged to excercise. If you make fun of me (or other overweight people) that may encourage some, but for most it just drives them into despair and makes us eat more.

    I have no will to lose weight because my self esteem has been destroyed over the years by my mother and my peers. I don’t care about losing weight anymore. I now just sort of want to die, and my fat will just bring that about quicker. I’ll be happier.
17. Chris says:

    July 16, 2008 at 5:30 pm

    Croc,

    Wow, from which communist country did you emigrate? You should get down on your knees and thank the eviiiiil corporations for stocking the grocery shelves with such an abundance of food that and entire country get can fat off of it. Your alternative is to buy a plot of land and begin growing your own food. Unless you want to be entirely dependent on someone else providing your food for you. That’s your choice. Don’t complain about it.

    Healthy food is pretty darn cheap. People just have no self discipline. That has nothing to do with the government with the exception of the piss poor public education system. However, by the time your an adult, you are the only one responsible for your health. No one else is. When is comes to food you (each one of us) are the only one that regulates what goes into your mouth.
18. Lee says:

    July 17, 2008 at 9:38 am

    I feel it is my duty to point out, on behalf of all us Southerners that are concerned with our health, that all our diets don’t mainly consist of fried foods (see last comment). MAYBE if you’re talking about “mainstream” Southerners… but painting folks with a broad brush like that is neither smart nor accurate.

    There are tons of born-and-bread Southerners that, like myself, are concerned with their health. One of my favorite things about the South is that we have our crazy, bad-for-you foods like funnel cakes and deep-fried Oreos (yes, really) at most every turn (just like so many other places). But many of us have enough common sense to exercise regularly and have a healthy diet, so we can afford to occasionally indulge in said craziness if we feel like it. I know exactly what most people’s stereotypical idea of the South is, both in terms of food and otherwise. And I’m here to tell ya: we’re all not just sitting around in Grandma’s kitchen eating pie, biscuits and gravy and fried chicken day in and day out (although I do love all of the above every now and then).

    I would also like to give a big shout-out to Southern restaurant owners by pointing out that there are plenty of them that offer healthy, delicious choices on their menus, like Mary Haglund of Mary’s, of Course! Cafe (www.marysofcourse.com) down here in Winston-Salem, NC.

    A sample of their menu: Tofu Burrito, Vegetarian Sausage Gravy (I’ve seen this dish convert people who never would have touched anything vegetarian before trying it!), Baby Spinach Eggs Benedict, granola. Also, all their major foods come from local farmers that don’t put nasty stuff in their meats and milk. The overwhelming success of Mary’s proves that there is indeed a demand for good, healthy food in the South!
19. JPB says:

    July 17, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    First things first. I have lived in Louisiana all 21 years of my life and would rather live here than anywhere else in the world. The main reason people in the south are more obese than northerners is because we cook for any and every social gathering, which may be every weekend for some families. We use food as an excuse to bring family and friends together.

    Another thing about the BMI is that it really is not accurate at all. It may average out as a good estimate but should not be used when speaking in terms of something so important as health. I am a nursing student, who still has lots to learn, but one of the things that we are taught is how to calculate BMI. Just about every instructor will tell their nursing students that BMI is not accurate because it does not take into consideration build or activity level. We have about 85 students in our class and IF BMI were accurate, then about 75% of the class would be considered overweight. I do not believe that I am overweight. I am 5′9″ and 170 lbs and try to weight train at least two or three days per week. I include cardio in my workouts, but it is less than what is recommended (30 minutes a day, 4-5 days per week).

    I must mention something about what CalorieLab posted about Michael Jordan. He is an athlete who competed at higher than normal levels for at least 20 years. Any athlete who puts their body through that much pounding, be it hardwood floors or some type of ball field, is almost guaranteed to have back or knee trouble later in life. The difference between someone like Michael Jordan and just some average Joe is the training. If a person practices and trains as much as Jordan, their body will adapt to the stress put on the body. This causes increased durability and flexibility in joints… unlike the average Joe who goes outside and becomes active once a month on a whim. My point is that his body has been trained and has adapted to the increased amounts of pressure that sports has put on his joints. You can’t compare a normal person’s joints to Michael Jordan’s joints.

    I have learned over the years that the key to losing weight is not so much watching what you eat, but paying attention to how much you eat. Like someone above mentioned, portion control is the problem for most. Once I started being conscious about how much I was eating, I noticed myself eating less and needing less to feel satisfied. The main thing is to eat until you feel satisfied… NOT FULL.
20. CalorieLab says:

    July 17, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Not to be a broken record, JPB, but don’t blame BMI for something it isn’t and isn’t trying to be. BMI is an index that attempts to classify people by body fat percentage. As we said above, it does not attempt to classify people by their “health,” whatever that is (and “health” not a precisely defined, scientifically measureable term to which a number can be assigned). In addition, it doesn’t try to classify people by build (whatever that is) or activity level.

    BMI just classifies by body fat, and it does so pretty accurately over large populations. Whether body fat is “healthy” or not, or tracks with “build” or with activity level is another question for another study at another time.
21. Chelsea says:

    July 17, 2008 at 4:59 pm

    I live in florida & im surprised were not up there with mississippi on the fat state list.
22. Tex says:

    July 17, 2008 at 5:24 pm

    I think Jack Karle should worry more about education, learn how to spell words properly. Why should my tax dollars go towards education when Jack Karle isnt learning anything.
23. ana hess says:

    July 17, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    Everyone stop complaining and do what is right. Americans are lazy and eat too much- american kitchen is unhealthy and disgusting. the whole nation needs to start moving. Good thing food prices are going up, America will loose weight
24. DJ says:

    July 18, 2008 at 8:49 am

    Economics, education and ignorance are the factors that indicate the numbers reflecting MS being the #1 fattest state in the nation three years in a row. I am a native of the state but that does not reflect me whenever i tell someone i am from Mississippi. We have no decision where we are born but we do have a decision in the way we choose to live. The world does not need to change, you do!
25. Lisa says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:22 am

    It is ridiculous that people are saying the south is fatter than the north because the food is better! Seriously? Sorry but southern food consists of butter, oil and lard. Those are their favorite ingrediants. Plus the south is full of backwards people who insist on doing everything the way their grand-daddy’s grand-daddy did it. They have no desire to learn about nutrition. Mention nutrition and suddenly you are a hippy-weirdo.

    And by the way, people up north use food to have gatherings just as much as the south! The north is full of Italians, Germans, Greeks, Polish, Jewish all of whom have huge family gatherings with tons of food.

    The south is fatter because they are lazy and uneducated. Pull your heads out of the sand, and stop going to Mc Donalds, fatties.
26. Cary says:

    July 18, 2008 at 11:28 am

    The fact that anybody even considers this a ‘government” issue is unbelievably absurd. The government isn’t your momma, Those people that want the government to get involved in our diet are nothing but Fascists.
    I’ll eat what ever I want to eat, and the day the government starts telling me what I can and cannot eat, is the day I’m getting the heck out of here.
    And just for the record, I’m 56, a little overweight, I smoke, I eat what I want, I try to avoid fatty foods, but I’ll eat some at times, because some things that aren’t too good for you, like bacon, are just pretty darn good. I bicycle about 75 miles a week, and I haven’t been sick in over 10 years, so go figure.
27. Jennifer says:

    July 18, 2008 at 12:03 pm

    I agree with Tex and think people should consult a dictionary before they advertise their comments. Loose, is NOT lose. Loose is when you release something, as in I let the rope loose. And LOSE is when something is lost… “I need to lose weight.” That was my contribution to the American people on the proper usage of “loose” and “lose”. Thank you. I am available for private lessons M-F. (Just kidding)…
28. John Lee says:

    July 18, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    One area where the BMI is flawed, is that it is obtained by dividing a cube function (Body Mass in Kg) by a Square function (Body Height in Metres squared) and assumes that a constant value should be used as the reference measure for a good result.

    This disadvantages very tall people eg Basketballers by giving them misleading high BMI’s. It also gives misleading optimistic results to very short persons.

    A mathmatically less flawed Modified-BMI can be obtained by dividing Mass by (height cubed). This then corrects for the different heights of people. Thus a good result of a healthy person would be a Modified-BMI of approx 15, with obese persons approx 25 and above.

    Best Regards,
    John K Lee

    [The people who developed the BMI understood area vs. volume. Your idea was considered and rejected for good reasons. You might want to pick up a book on clothing pattern "grading" for some insight into how body proportions change as they get larger. Everything doesn't just get bigger at the same rate, so cubing it doesn't end up being better than squaring it. The regression is not perfectly linear if a cube is used, nor is it perfectly linear with a square. Is there a better formula that would take an entire page to write and require dozens of body measurements? Yes. Is perfect accuracy the only factor that was important in developing the BMI? No. Practical simplicity was extremely important. A simple formula that will be used is better than a complex one that sits unused in a research paper. Believe me, for epidemiological purposes over large populations, tall people and basketball players are not causing problems with the accuracy of population-wide obesity statistics. The BMI is working just fine here. If there's a weak point to the data, it would be related to the random-digit-dialing telephone surveys. If you're a basketball player who was charged a higher rate for individual life insurance because of the use of your individual BMI, you have a legitimate point, but any insurance company will accept caliper tests, so even there BMI is not an issue. —Editor]
29. Shannon says:

    July 18, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    I think that when we blame the government for anything, we take that responsibility away from ourselves. We live in a country full of people who expect a check in the mail if they are unemployed and a lawyer to get them off if they get into trouble. If we ask the government to regulate food then what really will happen? Its like telling a kid that Ronald McDonald has decided to go out of business. It is true, like stated before, that we need to make our own decisions.

    Government made decision: 21 is drinking age.
    Americans beg to differ.

    We need to make our own decisions. It is the conscience decision to be healthy and to make good choices that equates to a healthy lifestyle, not the government regulations.
30. Tim says:

    July 18, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    I live in Hawaii and I am shocked that we are the second leanest state behind Colorado. I have never seen so many fat people in one condensed area in my life! How Hawaii is not on the same list as MS is astounding to me.

    Americans are addicted to food, and fast food to be more accurate. I think that regular SODA is also a huge culprit for obesity in this country, as well as the fast food restaurants. It is so easy to go through a drive through to get someting to eat quickly when we are all in such a hurry. I am one of the lucky ones who can eat whatever I want and never gain an ounce. And I know that the things that are supposed to be good for us most of the time tastes horrible! And it’s hard to get on the right path. But it’s up to each one of us to take care of our own bodies. We don’t need the government sticking their noses into what we eat every day. They are already too intrusive in my opinion.

    We all need to get away from the T.V’s and computers, start moving and going to the gym. Start parking far enough away from a store to make yourself walk more would help. I hate seeing people circling the parking lots looking for that first space in front so they don’t have to walk too far. Unless you have a disabilithy that prohibits walking a certain distance, we should all be trying to walk as much as possible. The main point is…we are a obese and lazy country. Take a trip out of the country once and you will be amazed at how slim the rest of the world is.
31. ChillWill says:

    July 18, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Wow!
    Mississippi gets to be No. 1 in the country for SOMETHING! Usually they are dead last. That’s why MSians try their hardest to be obese. They are so tired at being the laughing stock of the country that they want to pride themselves in this No. 1 Ranking.
    Education………Who cares!!
    Poverty………….Who cares!!!!!
    Fried Chicken topped with gravy and lard…………We’re NUMBER ONE!!!!
32. Ginni says:

    July 18, 2008 at 2:21 pm

    Well to Lisa’s comment. I was born in the North and raised in the South. I am neither lazy or over weight (6′0 #152). I am also very educated, and I was raised by southerners. Yes I love the food in the south, but I eat NOTHING that is fried. I do not go to fast food establishments to eat, everything is home made. It all comes down to what you put in your mouth and how soon you walk away from the table.

    Your statement that ALL southerners are both uneducated and lazy is totally wrong and a very uneducated guess. And to call all of us fatties is also a rude and nasty thing to say to anyone. I would not judge someone based on where they live and what foods they eat. Try going back to school and learning a little about nutrition and diet before you TRY to speak educated about anything. Hope you have a blessed day.
33. Ben Wicker says:

    July 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm

    As I understand it, the BMI is simply a ratio of a person’s height to weight. This being said, there is not a direct correlation between BMI and fatness (as seen by the above example of Jordan), while people who are fatter will have higher BMI’s than those who are slimmer and of the same height. Ignoring the flame war that is erupting between Yanks and the South over food and education, the fact that a person’s build is not included in the BMI is rather significant. [In the case of individuals you have a point. BMI is used here as an epidemiological index for large populations, and your objections do not apply in that case. —Editor]

    People in the south tend to be bigger overall than people other places. I am 5′10″ and am the shortest male in my family. I grew up in MS lived for 4 years in Alabama, and from my experience the average height is somewhere between 6′ and 6′2″. I am currently living in IN, where I appear to be of average height. Given this and excluding all other factors, the south would have a higher BMI just from the difference in average height. So, saying the south is inherently fatter than the rest of the country might be flawed (I don’t know, I haven’t actually crunched any numbers).
34. CoachB says:

    July 18, 2008 at 3:06 pm

    I am a first year physical education teacher in Arizonia, and I was shocked at how little funding we had to educate our youth on health and wellness! I have worked my butt off writing grant after grant trying to get the materials to inform my kids on the importance of staying active and healthy. I would also like to see more parents involved with finding ways to get their kids away from video games, computers and televisions.

    I want to congratulate California on their advancements in their PE programs. They have so much funding and great ideas in the wellness field that it is no suprise they are dropping in the ranks of obesity.

    I would also like to respond to Lisa. I also make it a point to teach my kids about not stereotyping people based on their color, sex or WHERE THEY ARE FROM. I would also like for you to define the term “backwards.” I take pride in my past and respect my grandparents for the way they lived their lives. Maybe you should do the same with yours and you wouldn’t be so bitter.
35. LisaW says:

    July 18, 2008 at 5:52 pm

    There are so many factors that come into play, they can’t all be addressed via a posting.

    However, I would like to see a comparison between the most impoverished states and the obesity ratios. A lack of income can result in many things. A lack of education is definitely one of those things. A lack of education is not merely defined as a lack of a college degree. Life skills, things that many take for granted, are a part of the general education process.

    Many people in lower income states (not everyone in a state can or should be lumped together) don’t have the benefit of being able to indentify healthy diet choices.

    Additionally, when on a limited budget, it is often cheaper to go with the less healthy options. It costs money to diet.

    At lower income levels, health care is often lacking. There may not be a regular doctor available to kick a person into gear by telling them how to drop some pounds.

    Also, poverty is relative. If kids see other families with things they don’t have, food may fill a void. Food at that point may be seen as a luxury or a comfort.

    We are fortunate in America. We have choices and food is plentiful. In many countries, people odn’t have enough food to even make it through tomorrow.
36. Fatcat says:

    July 19, 2008 at 1:55 am

    People, people, people! There is one single fact that is RESPONSIBLE for obesity…..IT IS EATING MORE CALORIES THAN YOU CAN BURN….don’t shift your blame.

    Analysis paralysis overcomplicates the simplicity… Overlooking the beauty of simplicity will lead to analysis paralysis….

    Before you know it, someone might categorize Obesity as “a disease”, “lack of education (aka…lack of better judgment)”, “poor access to health care”, “no money to seek help”, better yet, “I am a victim of my circumstance”, etc…

    What would this do?

    1) The fat guy next to you will say, “hey, I don’t have eating problem….I have a disease. I can’t control it.” CRAZY

    2) The fat woman with 12 fat kids will say, “We don’t have enough education to know that we are fat. We are not to blame!” CRAZIER

    3) The 2 happily married poor & fat guys will say, “It costs too much to go on diet. We just don’t have that kind of money!” CRAZIER THAN CRAZY

    4) A single fat woman will say, “I am not to blame. I boy friend dumped me. I am depressed. Thus, I cannot control my eating habit. I don’t have enough money to get counseling. I am not educated enough to know that I am fat. And, it is a disease that can only be cured through counseling or prescription.” CRAZIEST

    Externalizing the blame!

    COMPLETELY irrational arguments and they go against all natural law of survival, human progression, law of survival of the fittest, etc.

    I say we go to Africa, capture the lions, ship them here, and release them. The obesity rates will drop drastically.

    Point here is that we externalize too too much. Obesity = eating more calories than you can burn. When that happened, you get unfitted, adding the fact that human messing with natural selection process, we have infinite/endless problems that have made the medical industry rich.

    What to do? Nothing! Let the natural selection process takes hold.

    “ONLY THE FITTEST SURVIVE…THE DUMB WILL DIE!” Cold and heartless fact.
37. O2 says:

    July 19, 2008 at 5:05 am

    Interesting to compare this map with recent election maps.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_states_and_blue_states
38. Donna says:

    July 19, 2008 at 5:34 am

    Tim in Hawaii and Fatcat – I agree with both of what you said; however Tim you do not need to spend the money to join a gym. I too can eat what I want and my BMI is 19.5 and my 16 year old son will let me know when I no longer can wear my bikinis. I live at the beach and love to swim, body surf, all boating, deep sea fishing, walk, play Frisbee, volleyball. Ignorance is no excuse and just look in a mirror. Yes, only the fittest will survive.
39. Jasan says:

    July 19, 2008 at 6:16 am

    Jasan says: To all overweight people especially ones like “ROBAPEOP” above, please don’t give up on yourself and just “wait to die”. I was a chubby kid through elementary school and was called fatty and fatso. I went through High School hearing girls giggling behind my back. Dating was out of the question as my self confidence was destroyed. Then, I was diagnosed with arthritis at 16. I had 6 operations including 2 total hip replacements by the time I was in my late 20’s. I gave up and soared to almost 500 pounds. Just after Christmas (06) I was rushed to the hospital with very little chance of survival. After heart surgury and more than 40 days in 2 hospitals, many weeks of rehab and months of antibiotic drugs to ward off infection, I finally came home. Funny thing was, after “wanting to die” I realized that when I nearly did, I saw so clearly how very precious life is and how much I wanted to remain here on earth, if for no other reason than to see the beauty of the sun coming up each morning. It took that terrible scare to make me realize that giving up is NOT the answer. Proper diet, a bit of exercise (whatever you can do with your limitations) and with my arthritis I can do very little, and the pounds will come off. I am now down to 375 pounds and still marvelling at every sunrise.
40. Steve A says:

    July 19, 2008 at 6:46 am

    >>Linda Says:
    July 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am

    I’m so surprised California is not much higher on the most obese states list!!! Anywhere I go, it seems like there is nothing but FAT people (me included, unfortunately). Very sad.

    Well, California does lead the nation in the number of obese people. If you use the percentages and the latest Census numbers, the top 10 are:

    California
    Texas
    New York
    Florida
    Illinois
    Pennsylvania
    Ohio
    Michigan
    Georgia
    North Carolina
41. JS says:

    July 19, 2008 at 7:06 am

    Fat Bastards..STOP EATING!!
42. Fatcat says:

    July 19, 2008 at 8:18 am

    Fact #1: We were born to an imperfect world in which we MUST LEARN self control. Lacking of self control CAN NOT and SHOULD NOT be confused with anything else.

    For example, Externalizing obesity as “I am not in control! Therefore, I am not to blame!”

    This kind of logics CAN NOT BE true. If it is, we should not punish the child rapists, the murders, etc.. Imagine the child rapists and the murders said “It is not my fault. I have the urge to do it. And, I can not control myself!”

    Not being a ble to control your own actions when the actions is truly wrong, CAN NOT be externalized.

    FACT #2: I am in control of my actions.
    If someone pissed you off and you killed that person, you are responsible for that action. While you can not control another person’s action “to piss you off”, you are in control how you can respond. When you responded by “killing” that person, we CLEARLY DECIDED/CHOSE/DETERMINED your action. Even if this poor choice was chosen out of anger, it is your choice. And, you are responsible for that action.

    RESPONSIBLE = “RESPONSE” – “ABLE”

    So, where is the problem with the fat people who said “I can not control my eating disorder”?

    Whether you like it or not, you all poorly chose to “become fat”. Change YOUR CHOICE. No one said self control is easy. Especially in this case. THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!!!! AND, YOURS ONLY….!
43. joesnowblower says:

    July 19, 2008 at 8:29 am

    Tim: “We all need to get away from the T.V’s and computers, start moving and going to the gym. Start parking far enough away from a store to make yourself walk more would help. I hate seeing people circling the parking lots looking for that first space in front so they don’t have to walk too far. Unless you have a disability that prohibits walking a certain distance, we should all be trying to walk as much as possible. The main point is…we are a obese and lazy country. Take a trip out of the country once and you will be amazed at how slim the rest of the world is. ”

    That is so true. When I lived in the states and parked far away people in the parking lot would look at me as if I lost my mind to walk that far! lol kind of funny now that I think about it. Others would take the handicap parking space AND NOT be handicapped just so they wont have to walk as far!! lol
    I now live in Europe and it’s very rare to see “fat people” simply because they walk and exercise a lot more. Also all the drive through things for “convenience” needs to go (drive through pharmacy, drive through for beer and essential things, drive through for almost EVERY restaurant, drive through for banks etc etc etc!! anything to not get out the car!!! I’ve also seen people jump on their lawnmowers or cars just to get the MAIL!!
    It’s not just the food that is consumed in the states South or North or West or East it is also the way of life of having everything “convenient”.
44. Tina says:

    July 19, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    Jack Karle Says:

    July 9th, 2008 at 9:03 am
    I think the folks that are fat should loose all of their government provided health care. Just like all the folks who smoke, drink, and use illegal drugs should loose theirs. Why should I have to pay for someone else’s bad decisions?

    By the way, who gets government healthcare?
45. Nicole says:

    July 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    ok, first of all stop complaining about the south! people r obese all over! they put too much junk in their bodies, maybe once in awhile it would be nice to go out to eat or something but seriously!!! and people should get up and excercise more, find something u like to do outside and just get some damn excercise!!!
46. cbs says:

    July 19, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    I would like to first say that I do not like studies like this one, “Which state is the fatest?” or any study like it. Look at the posts here. It brings out stereotypes. I am from the south and not overweight. I try to incorporate a healthy twist to my heritage. As a matter of fact, in Louisiana we are trying to get people involved in a healthier lifestyle. The newest promotion is “how do you do the 2″? See the website: http://www.louisiana2step.com/how_do_you_do_the_two/. So we are not a bunch of crazy stupid people here in the south. I feel that we just have more poor people in the south. It has been proven that people who are poor have worse diets. People who are poor have a tendency to fill up on carbs such as mashed potatoes because they are cheap and go far. I mean, face it, eating healthy costs more than eating junky. Just look at the price of a bag of chips or a pound of apples. For example, I can buy an 11.5 oz bag of store brand chips for just over a dollar and at that same store can not buy a pound of apples for even near that price. This leads to people making bad diet choices. Just for the record fat does not equal lazy nor does poor equal lazy. I am not overweight but I am not skinny and I have had to fight my weight everyday.
47. Bobo the Clown says:

    July 20, 2008 at 12:21 pm

    I think I like the comments up here better than the actual article. Very interesting. I have to agree – to some extent – with the problem MANY Americans (no matter where they are from) have with personal responsibility.

    NO one chooses to be fat on purpose but they sure do get to choose what goes into their mouths. Once they are no longer fed by their parents, that is. If you let your kids get fat, you are doing them a HUGE disservice because statistics show that people that start out fat earliest in life have a low percentage of keeping it off should they actually ever lose the weight.

    Being fat starts early with a fat lifestyle. Get your kids active and make sure they learn how to eat nutritious food, not crap.

    I do blame corporations on some level for the obesity problem we face in this country and here’s why: Corn Syrup. That nasty crap replaced sugar in every soft drink that exists here (people who are die-hard Coke fans import theirs from Mexico because it still has sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup). You all ought to google “corn syrup” – find out what the havoc it wreaks on your body and stay away from it and all things that have it listed as an ingredient.

    If you want a sugar substitute that is actually healthy and has no calories, look for something called Stevia. It’s amazing. It’s actually from a leaf and is a nutritional supplement. You can use it wherever you use sugar. And unlike Splenda and Nutrasweet (VERY bad for you – google them too if you use ‘em, you won’t like what you see), Stevia is good for you.

    If you are overweight, you can lose it. You just need a plan, and you need to have hope. It’s not rocket science, and people do it every day.
48. Illustrated Conservatard says:

    July 20, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    It doesn’t matter what state you live in. Fat is fat.

    We need to elect government officials that will put people whose BMI is too high in jail or a work farm where they can’t come out until they are a decent weight.

    That should deter people from stuffing their faces. They will no doubt thank you later.
49. Mark says:

    July 21, 2008 at 10:21 am

    Its seems the states with god’s favorite people (born again xtians) are the fattest.
50. whizkidforte says:

    July 21, 2008 at 6:23 pm

    I’m so happy that my home state of Florida dropped from 34 to 38 this year! All I have to do is tell my fellow Floridians to treat their state pie as a “WHOA” food – that is, enjoy their key lime pie as a special treat!
51. ella says:

    July 21, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    I don’t think we can really pin this on anyone, it’s partially the governments fault,partially corporations, and partially our own. I’m sort of depressed after reading some people responses such as not helping people who are obese, accusing different parts of the country and slapping stereotypes on them, and saying we should stick people in JAILS AND WORK CAMPS for being over weight! some people are over weight for reasons that aren’t their own fault and some it is their fault but that doesn’t mean you can go around being jerks to them. If most of you are adults i find it sad that this is how you treat each other, I’m 14 and i think i have more sense that most of you
52. Bruce says:

    July 21, 2008 at 11:20 pm

    cbs: “Face it, eating healthy costs more than eating junky.”

    I disagree. A quick search at Wegmans.com (a very high end grocery store) turned up apples for $1.69 a pound. That would make them only $1.21 for the same 11.5oz as your bag of “just over a dollar” chips. I’d say that’s pretty close. Just to bring this point home, here are a few other heathy foods for cheap:

    1 lbs green beans: .99
    water: less than one cent per gallon from your tap
    skim milk: same price as whole milk
    1 lbs bananas: .54
    1 lbs seedless grapes: .99
    can of tuna in water: .69
    skinless chicken breast: 2.69 a pound (compare to 10% fat ground beef at 2.59)

    Eating junky is easier than eating healthy, but not necessarily cheaper.
53. Byron says:

    July 21, 2008 at 11:32 pm

    I don’t think most people who eat junk food would change to healthier fresh food just because it was cheaper. People just get used to what they normally eat. They like it. It’s a habit.

    If fast food were actually expensive, that would be another matter, perhaps.
54. Tex2 says:

    July 22, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    I am of group that believes it is a lifestyle decision based on nutrition education. It is part tradition and the other part education. When I speak of education, there are many educated people in Mississippi and other southern states, but nutrition education is lacking or ignored due to lifestyle traditions.

    On another note, referring to the post that states:
    “Well, California does lead the nation in the number of obese people. If you use the percentages and the latest Census numbers, the top 10 are:

    California
    Texas
    New York
    Florida
    Illinois
    Pennsylvania
    Ohio
    Michigan
    Georgia
    North Carolina”

    This was obviously straight population numbers, not per capita. You have the top four states in terms of general population in the top four. You cannot compare unless you normalize the data (use the percentage of the population or per capita figure).
55. cbs says:

    July 22, 2008 at 6:48 pm

    I would like to point out something to bruce where I live apples are almost 3 dollars a pound. I love apples and still buy them but I know that it only takes 3 or four apples to make a pound. I buy fruit no matter the cost but I was just pointing out that poor people don’t think like that. They want to fill their childrens’ tummy. I grew up on rice and mashed potatoes because they are cheap, fill you up and go far. I paid for that as an adult. And to further illustrate my point…more poor people will eat as much as two or three starches at dinner…starches are cheap. It is no secret that we have a huge percentage of poor people in the south. Therefore, it would not be unusual to have more fat people. It is not because we are lazy (after all a good percentage of our employed people here are employed in industries such as manufacturing, offshore, carpentry etc..). However, in the town I live the median income is only 25000 and it is hard to find a job that pays well here. Our grocery prices are rediculous because of the lack of competition in this poor Parish I live in. This all adds up to poor eating choices just so that junior does not go to bed hungry and so that mom and dad will have the energy to go to work. Further more I think we have a double standard in this nation. We feel all the sympathy in the world for anorexics but if you are even the slightest overweight “put them in jail” as one of you said. That is horrible! Am I overweight…nope but I understand that being poor can lead to making poor food choices. Oh and by the way stress can also make you fat…and being poor is a great deal of stress. This in no way makes them stupid or crazy like I keep reading here. This is why I hate these so called “studies” they bring out the worst in people.
56. me says:

    July 23, 2008 at 12:23 am

    All you people keep saying that fat people are losers and could lose the weight if we want. Is anybody here aware of how dam lucky we are to be fat? Health problems of the morbidly obese aside, people from other countries would kill to be as fat, lucky, and able as we are. I’m overwieght and I smoke and I’m happy. I don’t suffer any problems from being fat and I want to live my life to the fullest. I love food and I don’t want some skinny little health nut telling me I can’t eat this or that has too many calories.

    The real problem here is not that people are fat, but they have an unhealthy outlook on life. The media is always pushing on us this idiotic message of “Lose Weight” and “Be Thin”. What does that say to overweight kids? It’s exactly that type of message that give them all eating disorders. Why, I ask you? Why does everybody have to be skinny?
    By the way I’m 5′3″ 187lb and I love my body.
57. Cyril says:

    July 23, 2008 at 12:42 am

    me, how old are you? If you smoke and are obese you may be all right now and you may be the exception to the rule, but odds are that when you reach 45 or so your health will start to present problems. When you are multiplied by 100 million, that means a big medical bill that all of us have to cover, one way or another.

    And saying that you love your obese body seems hard to believe. I have no problem with fat people who don’t let their condition get them down and enjoy life, but to love their obese bodies is like saying that if they had the choice of being thin, they would pick obese. I think very few people feel that way, and for good reason.
58. Brian says:

    July 23, 2008 at 10:25 am

    I don’t think States ( general random locations ) are as directly linked to obesity as general health and racial/ethnic backgrounds are.
    I’m hoping that won’t be seen as “racist” but as the anthropological perspective that I intend it to be. Being a country of both diverse indigenous populations and immigration waves that both follow and transcend state borders. these political artificial lines become both meaningful and meaningless when looking at weight statistics.
    In some Southwest Indian tribes, being prone to storing fat aided in survival during frequent draught and famine, Native Alaskans benefited by the increased retention of body heat, while tribes in hot and humid Florida would tend to be lean. Some general traits of Americans with European ancestry vary by country of origin. Black Americans have many genetic influences here not found in Africa from the conditions of their history here.
    Iin my “native” Pennsylvania, I could take you to a town or neighborhood where 70% of the people are obese, or 50% look far too skinny, because there are so many places that are still ethnically or racially self divided. The correlations between economic conditions and when people were born would also show trends that were not related to statehood.
59. Cleaves M. Bennett MD says:

    July 25, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    I am a doctor who promotes prevention not pills. Most people in America get overweight, some 90% get hypertension, too many of those have high cholesterol and if your waist is bigger than your hips you likely have or are going to have diabetes. These problems are found in children now, in fact the pediatricians are pushing statins for children. We have a world wide pandemic of what is now called “diabesity”. I have taken care of many, many seniors with type 2 diabetes. Visiting your mother in a nursing home with dementia, blindness, amputations, bed sores and full restraints so she can’t pull out her feeding tube is very sad indeed. But I see many children who are obese and going to get there eventually themselves. Why do so many people get obese and can’t seem to lose weight permanently? There are two reasons.
    We live in a society that grows, imports, processes, packages and delivers TOO MUCH FOOD! Worse, the grocers and restaurants market it constantly. Worse they put salt, sugar and fat in it so we can’t resist. Every holiday is focused on eating too much and then lying around on the sofa groaning. We all have a program in our brain, left over from Paleolithic times: faced with an abundance of food, eat as much as you can, because tomorrow there may not be any. But tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow there is still TOO MUCH. A small glimmer of hope: diverting much of the corn crop away from fattening up livestock and making high fructose corn syrup into biofuels. The high price of food seems to most people to be terrible, but in fact it may reduce diabesity and save a lot of lives. Stay tuned.
60. Dr. J says:

    July 26, 2008 at 9:52 am

    I feel your pain, Dr. Bennett! Fighting the good fight is what being a doctor is all about :-)
61. Shan says:

    July 26, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    My two thoughts:
    One -I moved from TN to NV six years ago. As someone who worked on college campuses in both states, one of the very first things that struck me when I walked campus here was. “Wow, I don’t see nearly as many fat people!” I’m no Skinny Minnie – pushing 40, I have all the same creeping weight issues many women have, but where I felt relatively small in Memphis, I felt relatively large in Reno. I believe the main difference isn’t what people here are calling ignorance or traditional cooking, but access to a large number of outdoor activities. In Memphis, there really wasn’t much opportunity for a lot of fun recreational activities. Bike riding? No way – hitting those roads on a bike would be suicide. Hiking? Where, the concrete jungle? Swimming? The neighborhood parks and pools were dumps, poorly supervised, and even more poorly cleaned. The only way you got good exercise was if you lived outside the city or could afford a pricey gym membership. Here, with the close access to Lake Tahoe and more forests, state parks, and lakes than you could count, and with dedicated bike lanes on nearly every large city street, people bike, snowski and waterski, snowboard and wakeboard, swim in nicely maintained neighborhood pools and take their kids to play and ride bikes in clean city parks, not marred by vandals and graffiti.
    Which leads to my # two – as an educator, I’ve seen a definite difference in the general weight of students in schools where the focus has become “pass the tests” at all costs necessary, including eliminating P.E. and recess. Kids NEED recess and free play! They need to run around freely, be active, play. Here, I can tell my kids at home, “Okay, turn the t.v. off and go outside – ride bikes, play tag, run in the spinklers, whatever, just DO something!” It wasn’t safe for us to do that before. The loss of free play, kids running around for 30 minutes at recess or hours on end in the neighborhood during summer definitely contributes to our problem with obesity in kids.
    (Does hopping off a soapbox count as exercise?)
62. Mabel says:

    July 26, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Don’t you dare judge the fat states. The American south is where it’s at. They enjoy family and good times. And good times is usually a GREAT southern meal. Yeah, they’re fat. They don’t care… More power to them.

    In a world of over-excersized health freaks who are as shallow as a puddle, it’s nice to have your big fat gramma give you a hug and a plate of good food and love you for who you are.

    It takes different strokes to move the world.
63. Chad says:

    July 27, 2008 at 3:03 am

    Sorry Mabel, but the South is NOT where it’s at. I find your attitude to be sad…I live in the south (louisiana), and run 30+ miles a week. Just because someone exercises does NOT make them an “over-exercised health freak who is as shallow as a puddle”.

    You’ve proven my point (and the points of many others): people like you who think they is something “wrong” with exercise, are a big part of the problem. It’s “wrong” to exercise, but it’s okay to be obese?

    Where is the logic in that? Backward thinking at its finest.
64. Van says:

    July 30, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    The Way I see It;

    I do not think the gov’t should be involved in any aspect of deciding what is right or wrong for people. People should be allowed to smoke, drink, and eat as much as they want whenever they want and get obese, that is their choice. Because, as I see it, nature has a way of taking care of things…

    Read into that what you will.
65. Mark says:

    July 30, 2008 at 4:01 pm

    Nature can’t be counted on to “take care” of the obesity problem, or at least not in the way that Van says. Obesity costs are borne by everyone and lead the nation into a downward spiral. You can’t just jettison the obese into the wilderness to die. You have to pay for their care, deal with their problems, deal with their fat children who were brought up in an environment that encouraged bad habits.

    Even if you wanted to avoid paying for the obese, you couldn’t, because they vote also, and they vote for stuff that benefits them.

    So government actions are certainly needed, and they don’t need to be in the form of telling people what to do but in the form of making certain choices available and nudging people in the right direction by making bad choices expensive and good choices easy.
66. =O says:

    August 1, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    OMG Move to a commie country where the government will tellyou what you want to do. ‘Nuff said. Fat people need help not the govt hauling them off to “fat people camp” to “unfat them”. See where I am going with this? Govt telling people how to live = bad, in turn bad = freedom going down the bowl.
67. jpbernie72 says:

    August 5, 2008 at 8:41 am

    To robapepop@utm.edu:

    God Bless You! Please don’t feel that way. There is so much hope and I apologize for so many people messing with your self esteem. You can get well. It’s up to you. Ask God for guidance and it will be given.
68. bob billy says:

    August 5, 2008 at 11:44 am

    i love how Jack Karle said “loose” instead of lose.

    I wonder where Jack Karle is from.
69. Amaleen says:

    August 5, 2008 at 8:22 pm

    Well this is ridiculous. This implies there is a geographic correlation to obesity. How absurd. I am certain there are 600-pound people in Colorado, and razor-thin athletic folk in Mississippi. What, everyone in Colorado bikes and hikes and eats granola and broccoli and drinks spring water? Everyone??

    What, you did 4,861,515 interviews and can definitively state that every Coloradan is thinner than everybody in Mississippi? I’ll bet there’s a lot of loafers in Greeley’s suburbs. And I’ll bet there are marathoners in Natchez.

    Now, having said all that, I don’t doubt that there are some regional patterns to cooking. Southern cuisine dates back hundreds of years and, yes, a considerable amount of it is rich in fat and calories. I’m not denying THAT correlation.

    But to exaggerate? Pretending there’s this massive correlation between obesity and your latitude and longitude coordinates? Well what do you expect, calorielab.com is just another peg in the giant cog called “the media”, and sensationalism sells.

    I’m surprised they didn’t use National Enquirer’s famous “whopping” …
70. Amaleen says:

    August 5, 2008 at 8:34 pm

    Oh please ‘=O’, enough of the right-wing diatribe. Got news for you: the Soviet Union, in its 74 years of Communism, never once told its people what or what not to eat, to prevent obesity. Fact is, they worked their asses off so becoming overweight was not really an option for the average Russian in those days. Today? I’ll bet they’re puttin’ on the pork just like us. So if anything, obesity is correlated with Capitalism, not Communism.

    As for any government wanting to encourage its citizens to eat healthy and avoid obesity — duh. Isn’t that what you WANT your government to do? To keep you healthy? To encourage health and long life? Isn’t that 1 of the 3 tenets of the Constitution: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness? Actually not just #1 but #3 relates to that too, ‘happiness’ — can’t be too happy when you’re 130 pounds overweight and every move you make is in pain.

    But here’s the bottom line: an overweight population is a vulnerable population. Even in a private-enterprise based health care system, higher rates of obesity hurts the economy. And when push comes to shove, here’s the ultimate vulnerability: WAR.

    If your enemy is slim and fit and nimble, while you’re slothful, overweight, and lounging around on the couch, who is going to win?

    I rest my case.
71. will segen says:

    August 8, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    Amen to Doctor Bennett. At last someone mentioned HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. The operational word is “corn”, super processed into an incredible sweetener. Watch out pancreas!! Check your labels when you grocery shop. It’s difficult to find processed food without this cheap sugar substitute.
    Go a step further and try to find bread without enriched flour, whether whole wheat or not. Bacon without nitrites and nitrates? Canned or packaged soups without msg?
    The information is out there, just learn to use it. By the way, it wasn’t always like this. Companies lobbied hard and spent big dough to get cheap sweeteners and shelf life advantage. Think about it. If chemicals can keep food, that would normally be maggot food in a week, edible on the shelf for years, what does it do inside our bodies?
    Get real. Think about what you put inside yourself. and good luck.
72. TheDonster says:

    August 19, 2008 at 12:43 pm

    Booyah! Michigan continues to hold #1 as the Northernmost fat state. Proving we won’t be out-did by anyone else North of the Mason-Dixon Buffet line. How do ya like them apples Indiana!? You don’t, because we already ate them.
73. Mike says:

    August 19, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    “CROC Says: It’s not the people that should be punished for what they eat.. it’s the government that allows the food corporations to feed american all the bad food they want .. ”

    Oh yeah, no point in any kind of personal responsibsilty for your own health.
74. chris says:

    August 19, 2008 at 5:48 pm

    Above CROC wrote what is pasted below and I had to respond. The government has no place controlling what we eat. You really want the government having a say in what you eat each day? Move to Russia or China! The poorest states are the fattest states. Look up stats on those states and the kids test scores. They will drop out of high school and hit Burger King on the way to the paper mill. I’m assuming that CROC is fat because fat people are always looking for someone to blame — yes, it’s the governments fault! That’s just stupid. What a CROC.

    # CROC Says:
    July 10th, 2008 at 7:39 am

    It’s not the people that should be punished for what they eat.. it’s the government that allows the food corporations to feed american all the bad food they want ..

    it’s not a coincidence the poorest states are also the fattest in calorielab’s obesity report on the fattest states, because cheap food is unhealthy and until the corporations are allowed to alter our food supply anyway they want we will have obesity and more importantly a list of nutrition related illnesses…
75. TheDonster says:

    August 20, 2008 at 7:00 am

    This whole conversation is stressin’ me out. I’m going to eat a whole box of Twinkies and drink a 2 liter of Coke. Why? Why not. This is the United States, and I have the freedom to do that if I want to. If you want to solve this problem, reward consumers if they remain healthy. Set up a Governmental Weigh-in facility. Not obese? Awesome, you get a check for $10,000. Fat as a whale? You get government sanctioned liposuction, and they sell the fat to soapmakers and foodmakers. Everyone wins. I don’t know why we haven’t turned overweight people into an industry. This is America damnit! Make some money off it. Duh.
76. xoxo says:

    August 20, 2008 at 9:36 am

    you mean the govt shall be punished for the personal choices these retards are doin??? very well indeed…wiwiahahahahah …tsk tsk tsk only in america…
77. Dustin says:

    August 20, 2008 at 9:49 am

    To all of you who are calling Croc a “communist” for suggesting that the government do something to take care of the obesity epidemic:

    The issue is not as black and white as you are presenting it. Almost noone is suggesting that things like ice cream and greasy fries be outlawed. What we are suggesting is that certain ingredients, whose only purpose is to boost profits, be controlled. For instance, partially hydrogenated oils (trans fat) have serious health repercussions such as coronary heart disease. Corporations use them to preserve shelf-life. The same flavor can be achieved with natural ingredients such a butter! The same food that people have been eating for centuries, before the obesity epidemic. The government does have a responsibility to protect its citizens from corporations that profit at the expense of the health of the poor and uneducated. Perhaps the answer is more education. At the very least, restaurants which use harmful ingrediats should be required to notify the customers!
78. AJ says:

    August 20, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    It really does’t matter if you don’t work, if you are poor, or if you are on welfare! That doesn’t mean you have the right to be fat! Get a garden, go on a diet, or get up and do something! For one it sets bad habbits for your family and for yourself! I myself don’t have money to spend on food but i do eat GREAT! I don’t eat out and i don’t eat too much. I think its just the person and no one else GET UP AND DO SOMETHING! Bottom line you are fat so do something about it don’t blame someone else for your problems. WOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!!!!
79. George in Texas says:

    August 20, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    Lets all obsess!
80. Anonymous says:

    August 20, 2008 at 8:54 pm

    I’m from the state of Mississippi, and people need to mind their OWN business when it comes to people’s health. I hate to brag, but I’m a beautiful, plus-size woman who loves herself, with HIGH SELF-ESTEEM and proud of it. Yes, being obese is not healthy, but being SUPER SLIM is NOT healthy either! You got to keep meat on your bones. Some of you say that people who are obese is lazy and don’t exercise. THINK AGAIN! I’m VERY active, and I move 24/7! I had lost 2 dress sizes this past June. I had done it just for ME and NOT anybody else. No defense I know a lot of people who are slim who has or had diabetes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. If you eat great, then THAT’S YOU! But, worry about YOURSELF, and YOUR OWN HEALTH!
81. Anonymous says:

    August 20, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    No offense, excuse me.
82. Frugal One says:

    August 25, 2008 at 7:38 am

    In my opinion, adopting a frugal and money saving lifestyle can contribute to weight loss… Being frugal is a way of thinking, and can definitely be applied to food and weight loss as well. Not to mention it can help save money. I encourage readers to start checking out frugal and money-saving websites and blogs. One of my favorites is at http://engineeradebtfreelife.blogspot.com

    If anyone has other good frugal websites, particularly those pertaining to health and weight loss, please share them. Thanks!
83. Steve says:

    September 17, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    First of all. Your BMI does not tell if you are fat or not. The article is not accurate. BMI just says if you are heavy for your hight. People with large amounts of muscle or bone mass always show as being too heavy.

    [Editor: This has been discussed in the comments above.]

    It isn’t important to be light, but you should keep your boddy fat down. It appears that there are a lot of perfect people replying so far. None of them seem to smoke, drink, eat normal food, have a real life, etc. How unfortunate for them. They can worry about it for their short life since the stress will kill them long before the people with a high BMI. There is nothing worse than some scrawney little pncil neck geek or boney woman trying to convince other people that they look good. It’s time people take responsibilty for themselves. It isn’t the government or big companies’ faults that people eat the foods they eat. It is also not their fault that most people in this country are too lazy to get off their rearends and do some exercise. I don’t spend much time on my computer, but I couldn’t resist thsi one. Fidn something that you like to do for exercise and do it. And mind your own business about everyone else’s weight. Thsi is AMERICA, we are supposed to be free. We don’t need radicals to tell us how to live our lives.
84. Jrosen says:

    September 20, 2008 at 7:08 pm

    You jackasses need to get a grip. None of your business how fat I am, what drugs I take, smoke, or otherwise imbibe.

    I love to fellow who proposed jail time for obesity. Stalin would have loved you.
85. Clagg says:

    September 21, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    This map has everything to do with poverty rates and nothing to do with delicacy, as the slender person from Louisiana tried to say. Any weight loss expert will tell you that the best way to get people to stop eating junk is to get them to appreciate good food, properly prepared. As for Mississippi, there’s been documentaries showing how the regions that were once starving to death in the sharecropping days are now the fattest in America. These people are not dining on the best of southern cuisine. Poor people are way more likely to be Obese. This is well established.

    Also, thank you for the comment about these ridiculous notion that the government should be policing how well you take care of yourself before you get social benefits. Why should you pay for other people’s mistakes? To maintain your own freedom, (to make choices – and therefore mistakes), smartass.
86. Reese says:

    September 22, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    This is the funniest thing iv read all night
    you guys made a young boy entertained as hell
    I’m 18 from colorado
    and im glad we’re the leanest state
    but its not like i still don’t see fat people where ever i go
    so its the same as everywhere else
    the more you workout the more you can eat
    fast food everyday fun times
    im 140 5′10
    cheers
87. Bwell2008 says:

    October 1, 2008 at 9:27 am

    Mississippi- First female US District Court Judge, first lung transplant, first heart transplant, lowest per cap income but donates more money to charity per cap then any other state. Birthplace of Jim Henson, Tennessee Williams, BB King, William Faulkner, Jerry Rice, Bret Farve, Morgan Freeman, Medgar Evers and on and on and on. 30 plus colleges, Coca-Cola and root beer, home of NASA’s Stennis Center, Comcast, Cellular South founded in Mississippi. I could go on for pages but I won’t. It’s amazing how the media only tells the masses the negative things. Do a little research before you blast entire state and say everyone in MS is fat and dumb. I think some people may be surprised to find out what Mississippi is really like!!!
88. SomethingElse says:

    October 5, 2008 at 6:20 am

    Love the last post naming many Mississippi firsts. All the stereotyping and rudeness aside this is an interesting thread.
    End of the day we all need to be responsible for ourselves. Two issues that drastically complicate that reality are: #1 Economics – leaving a person most likely uneducated and/or working long hours making the allure of fast easy cheap food difficult to ignore; and #2 Advertising – I am shocked that this hasn’t been addressed here. Corporations spend unending amounts of money advertising unhealthy foods all condoned by our government (probably since they also use lots of money lobbying!?) Advertising is rampant in our country and most people do not seem to understand the power of this activity. Much research has been done showing that advertising is able to target unconscious processes in the brain to encourage particular responses! An example of advertising that should be limited is the marketing of videos and television programming to (the parents of) children under two years old. Even though pediatric study after study has shown detrimental effects of these products, advertisers are allowed to target this group and to claim educational benefits! We limit the advertising of alcohol and tobacco to adults but not obesity (fast food) and ADHD (visual media) to our children.
    We need to be responsible for ourselves and be parents to our children. Nuturing a supportive society isn’t a bad idea either.
89. MediumRare says:

    October 9, 2008 at 11:33 am

    Has anybody thought of the less obvious factors of stress and depression? It’s not as popular yet, but there have been a lot of studies that have strongly linked stress to obesity. And this connection is only going to get stronger with more research. It’s all a cycle, though, and hard to isolate one factor. But what is true is that low income, stress, overwork, insufficient sleep, lack of education, accessibiltity to crappy foods, etc, depression, tendency to overeat, are all linked, and without question. Research it. You’ll see.
    This is not to say that the government or the corporations are at fault for an individual’s situation. They’re not. They are probably a strong cause, though. Unfortunately, as has been mentioned, blaming them is not going to get rid of the problem. The individual has to get fed up, realize that they can do something about their unhealthy state, and start taking the steps to get better.
    In a nutshell, the whole culture–north, south, midwest, islands, whatever–suffers from the see-saw of too much/too little. Too much work, junk, bills, keeping-up-with-the-joneses, mortgage, stuff, competitiveness, etc. Too little laughing, relaxing, dancing, family, friends, etc. We’re sick as a whole. And unfortunately, the sickness manifests more in some parts of us than in others. Of course Colorado is skinny. They can afford to be. They can afford to wake up and bike 900 miles BEFORE work. But what if you work night shift at an ALLSUP’s in Northern Texas? And you have to catch the bus? And you have 49 cents in your hand? And a pack of vanilla creme cookies is the only thing you can get to calm your sorry rumbling stomach? People who work two jobs are tired. They are also usually broke. And they usually don’t spend their free time browsing the bioavailabilty of leafy green vegetables in the diet and exercise section of Barnes & Noble. Cuz they are probably passing out in front of a TV which is spewing messages at them about Pizza Hut’s new areterial terrorist item. Or whatever. But I digress.
    Another fact is that there is a huge imbalance between people of different walks in terms of what they know and what they have easy access to. Middle and Upper class educated people get information sooner. They see doctors more regularly. Healthy living is a lot easier for them to come by. Poorer people tend to be around more junk, cigarettes, liquor stores, etc. Go to a poor neighborhood. Go inside a discount grocery store some time. See what’s on the shelves. I’ve been in places where there is NO PRODUCE. None. Not some. None.
    But again, all this is just symptomatic of a society’s imbalance. We don’t savor life. We savor ho-hos. And those of us who know better than to savor too many ho-hos are so scared of ho-hos that they have to get up and bike three hours before work so that they won’t feel anything other than optimal. Give me a break. It’s all so damn delusional. Is there any sense of moderation in this country? Can’t we just go for a stroll after having some ice cream? Do we have to train for the bloody olympics cuz we had an extra slice of pie at THanksgiving?
    The FDA put out their recommendation for exercise a couple years ago when this whole obesity thing came to light. 90 minutes a day is what they are saying people should start doing. 90 minutes a day!!!! Are they nuts? Way to sabotage the average person by telling them that unless they do this ridiculous amount of exercise on a DAILY basis, no less, that they’re efforts are for naught. What kind of sadistic unpatriotic sabotage is that!!!??! Nobody’s going to be able to do that when they aren’t used to it, and even if they do, they won’t be able to keep it up for more than a month. Then, it’s back to ho-hos and KFC, and self-hate.
    Dammit, America. What we really need to do is work less, sleep more, laugh a hell of a lot more, have some pie but not the whole pie, go for a walk, have some sex more than once a year on our stupid anniversary, and remember that we only go around once in this form (whatever you believe about coming back or having been here before, still only once in THIS form), and that we have been put here to enjoy and explore. Whether we have yachts or jalopies, whether we live in Aspen or Austin or Honolulu or Pensacola or wherever. I know this is simplistic, but I think it’s the only thing that is going to keep us from breaking down. And obesity is a sign of breakdown. And remember, its not the only one. There’s also depression and cancer, and those hit skinny rich people as much as poor fat people. Cuz they’re stressed out too. Matter of fact, the whole damn country is stressed out. We’re obese with stress. All of us. Yuck. We’ve got stress and loneliness seeping out of our pores. It’s gross. Really gross. Go smell a rose.
90. McMeekin says:

    October 14, 2008 at 10:03 am

    OK, I have lived in California for most of my life, 3 cities in northern Cal, including Sacramento and San Francisco. Also two in Southern Cal, Including Los Angeles. I have also visited Arizona numerous times. I don’t understand how California and Arizona are on an even playing field, I would have to say that the numbers are botched. YES! This is fake for whoever is looking at this data. Don’t believe it. In Arizona, including Pheonix and Tucson, I would have to say at least 7-9 out of 10 people are obese to some extent. I’m not trying to be rude, but seriously in California, I would say less than half of that. If you don’t believe me go see for yourself. The only reason I say is because I have heard before somewhere that when do we get to start heckiling people and telling them they are obese. Well that is a little much, but people should know that they are packing on the pounds and start to eat better and work out, it would save a lot of life. I hate to see people die just from being big.
91. CROC foe says:

    October 24, 2008 at 9:33 am

    CROC YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!!!!! Americans make the choice of what they eat or don’t eat. The government does not make that choice for them. Plain and Simple you fool!!!
92. BeeRide says:

    October 25, 2008 at 7:47 am

    Well I’m still a fatty, but I’ve been working on it, and have lost about 55lbs in the past 6 months. I only have about 20 more to go. However, I am lucky that I live with my parents who make okay money, enough to purchase all the foods we need. When we used to just get nothing but junk food our bill was around $150 a week. Now that we are getting healthier choices, (even choices like 93% lean ground beef, or soy milk and fresh vegetables) our food bill is $215 a week. So I do find that their is a difference in costs.

    I also don’t like the BMI calculators either, I don’t think they accurately take into account if you are an athlete, or if you are younger. (As younger people tend to have more lean muscle mass than the older person.) My closest friend is 5′5″ and 155lbs, and she’s considered overweight. Although she wears a size 8 in clothing (non vanity-sizing, in vanity-sizing she wears a size 4.) She’s also an athlete, plays softball, runs every day, lifts weights every day, and doesn’t eat a lot of junk food either.

    But I also think as for being fat, it is a choice. (Except in cases with health problems like hypothyroidism, and leptin deficiency.) I got to a certain weight and was disgusted with myself, I’m 20 years old, and I didn’t go out with my friends, guys didn’t seem interested in me, and I had very little confidence. I’m 20, I’m supposed to be having fun and living my life, so I decided to change things, and I started to exercise and eat better. It’s hard at first, but it gets easier as it goes along. A woman doesn’t just stop pushing a baby out of her body because it’s too hard, she gets it out of her or they have to C-section her. So a person on a diet shouldn’t just quit, because it’s toooo hard. Suck it up, my fat ass can do it, so can you.
93. Jimbo says:

    October 28, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Here is what it boils down to, if you live in the south, then you live around more obese people. This is not a difference of a few hundred people, there are a lot more fat people in the south, as the graph shows. Does anyone know the exact reason? No. Can we speculate? Yes. This is not an argument about whether southern food is tastier so southerners eat more. It is about lifestyles. The northeast population as a whole does more to control their weight. The south does less to control their weight. How about instead of complaining about the government letting you eat anything you want, you stop eating anything you want. Do you understand that by saying the government is letting me eat this so it is their fault, you are articulating a statement that takes more brain power, than it does to realize that the food you are eating is bad?

    Ok let me break it down for all you that are complaining aboutt he government. So you claim that you can not grasp the fact that your Big Macs are unhealthy, yet you do complain that the government is letting you eat the Big Macs, which are unhealthy. So yuo know that the Bug Mac is unhealthy, but you create a scapegoat to make yourself feel better.

    So are you going to drop out of school because the government did not tell you to stay in school or you will not be able to make enough money. Then once you drop out and are poor, will you not go back to school so you can get a joba and instead just complain about the government. Ok so lets pretend you did not know that sitting on the couch and choking down cheetos and mountain dew was bad for you, well you know now. Do something about it.
94. Jimbo says:

    October 29, 2008 at 6:34 am

    u all r fatties
95. yesimthatcrazylol says:

    October 30, 2008 at 10:04 am

    I went to visit New Orleans (back in 2004, pre-Katrina) for a 4-day vacation. I went to all the restaurants (soooooooo tastey, all the cajun food, yummmm). Anyway, I didn’t overindulge, but before I knew it, on the flight back to California, I felt like I gained 10 pounds.

    I think the seafood from the gulf is super fatty… I mean it’s in everything out there. Shrimp is so bad for you. It’s full of cholesterol. Yet, it’s in everything there. Anyway, Louisiana definitely has a problem, and that’s that it’s at the water’s edge to the Gulf Coast of Mexico, with all that fatty seafood there.

    I don’t know how to solve that problem! But all I know is if I lived in Louisiana (instead of California- the Yoga-capital of the nation), I would most-likely but 25 pounds fatter.

    Imagine, being 25 pounds fatter just by living somewhere!
96. Lindsay says:

    November 6, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    If you look at this lists of chain restaurants across the globe and compare the amount in the US has opposed to any other country, you wouldnt be surprised why all together this nation is obese. Another realization I came to was that I hadnt heard of nearly 3/4 of these places. Being born and raised a Bostonian I have only been used to seeing Wendys, Burger King, and McDonalds (for fast food burger joints that is, I wont get into pizza, donuts, ect..). But when I traveled down south I came across all of these places but also a plethora of other burger places (In and Out, Roy Rogers, Sonic, Carls Jr, ect…) I hadnt even heard of! So with the vast variety and concentration of fast food in their area its no wonder the south is fatter than the north. But I also do consider, if its fast food they want, its fast food theyre going to get.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fast-food_restaurants#United_States
97. kx says:

    November 9, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I don’t think most people who eat junk food would change to healthier fresh food just because it was cheaper. People just get used to what they normally eat. They like it. It’s a habit.

    If fast food were actually expensive, that would be another matter, perhaps.
98. jordan owens says:

    November 10, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    We need more nathletics in our school systems. Too many people are sitting around in woodshop or spanish and they also eat to much food at there lunch.And the school board lets them do it to and most of them are not in athletics.
99. Will from SLIM, TRIM Massachusetts says:

    November 17, 2008 at 9:47 am

    I love how all of these Southern folks are coming here and getting worked up. “WE don’t eat unhealthy. I am not overweight!”

    Hey, I have nothing to argue. The map speaks for itself! YOU may be of a healthy weight, but unfortunately, nearly 1/3 of your slovenly peers will put ANYTHING in their bellies as long as it’s been fried in lard.
100. RM says:

     November 18, 2008 at 7:52 am

     I’m saddened by all this negative talk. This is a country wide epidemic, not contained just to the south. Sure, in the south, it’s more prevalent, but NYC is getting fatter than any other city in the country. It’s everywhere, and no one is immune. I live in the south, and admit that I love southern food, but I make the decision not to eat it. It’s simple, calories in vs. calories out. Most people in this country are all about simplicity and not being put out, so they choose what’s easiest regardless of nutritional value. I believe a lot of it is a lack of education. Sure most people understand what’s healthy, and what’s not, but when I met my husband 10 years ago he thought that if he only ate fast food once a day instead of 3 times a day, he was ok. He seriously didn’t know. His family is the same way. They were raised on biscuits, gravy, fatty meats and that’s all they ever knew. So, of course they did the same for their kids. We can’t use a sweeping brush and say that everyone should know about health, nutrition and exercise.
101. Frances says:

     November 18, 2008 at 10:24 am

     I moved to the deep South from England about 5 years ago, and nearly went into shock at the diet here – just about everything is either highly sugared (from tea to carrots), or has huge amounts of saturated fat (fried chicken with skin on to cooked beans with fatback added). No shops for an hours radius stock sesame paste or flax seed, the produce is very limited in range, the only fresh fish I can buy is catfish. This is a world apart from the shops in the rural west of England where I grew up, and from California where I also lived for a while. The school where I sent my 5 year old gave candy several times a day as rewards, and offered cola and fries as main lunch options. I now homeschool, and nutritional issues were part of the reason for the choice. The prevailing culture has very unhealthy eating habits, and the Education System is following the lead; because of this I think the pattern of obesity and resulting ill health is likely to become a total epidemic within the next decade.
102. Queet says:

     November 19, 2008 at 5:05 am

     Mississippi is fat because it’s nothing to do there but go out and eat. I spent two years there and gained 30 pounds….So happy i left!!!
103. Ingrid Berry says:

     November 21, 2008 at 7:44 pm

     i think that the overly obese people should go on a government planned diet and they have the make progress or else they have to live in government provided homes, where they’ll be monitored 24/7 and they will either chose the go to the boot camp, or 5 mile run/walks every day. And the southern states should have a limit on how mush oil they use per restaraunt, so they can’t use too much and make people too fat
104. Amber S. says:

     November 22, 2008 at 8:42 am

     I know that it’s not always people’s fault for being obese. Genetics play a big role in it, some of you should really do your research before posting based on “what you think.” Did you write a book on how the entire world should live their life/lives yet? It seems to me you did. Ofcourse, you may just be a product of your surroundings as well, which I’m sorry for. I understand not wanting to pay for other people’s decisions-but is it because you have to pay enough for YOUR OWN? Int he end-people are people & will do what they do. Most of the time, it isn’t their fault. We’re all only human and certain issues we have…I believe almost all of them stem from our childhoods. Don’t act as though you’re perfect & in perfect health. You’re not fooling anybody. And I’m sure you have fat AND thin people in your families. That’s what makes this so damn funny to me. ALSO; Just because you look like you frequent “Krispy-creme” doesn’t mean you’re not healthy or have severe health-problems, AND vice-versa for the bean-poles. There’s some knowledge fo yo azzes.

     Good Day,
     Amber
105. Alix says:

     November 27, 2008 at 2:09 am

     I myself live in Colorado, and I say, “YAY SKINNY PEOPLE!!!!” you other states should lose some weight!
     lol
106. iron_v says:

     November 28, 2008 at 11:47 am

     To those who are obese/significantly overweight — don’t give up! First one comment, the BMI has its well-known limitations (not distinguishing between fat/lean mass, bias towards those w. larger builds, taller individuals, etc.) but it is relatively accurate for estimating trends over large population scales. Considering the fact that 25% of Americans live a sedentary lifestyle, and >50% don’t get enough exercise per week, I’d say the vast majority of those in the BMI>30 range are genuinely obese. (On top of that, a much smaller percentage of those who exercise regularly engage in heavy duty strength training necessary to obtain a high BMI w. low body fat%age.

     I myself am significantly overweight, but peaked at a much higher BMI (39 being my max). It took time, but I lost ~40 pounds and am still going… I tried to lose weight for ~6 years before I finally got it right. So I think I’ll put a few comments here:

     -Nothing short of a lifestyle change will do it (healthy eating in reduced portions WITH regular physical activity).
     -Eating healthy is necessary, but not sufficient (calories in vs. calories out is what matters). You can overeat on “healthy calories” as well.
     -While cutting calories is necessary, extremes should be avoided (metabolism slows down, and lean mass is lost when too many calories are cut, and such a scheme cannot be maintained). Also, many significantly overweight/obese people feel so guilty about their size that they turn to fad diets to lose weight very quickly. However, not only is that weight usually regained, but when the weight is regained, more is stored as fat, and often a few more pounds are gained on top of the pre-diet weight. Part of it stems from the “I need to lose this weight ASAP” mentality. The longer it takes, the more likely it is to stay off.
     -Regular physical activity on most or all days of the week significantly improves the health of the individual even if it does not result in significant weight loss. Though I’m still at BMI>30, and have been doing strength training and increased my muscle mass, I’m still overweight by body fat percentage, but blood pressure and cholesterol have significantly improved. So simply increasing physical activity and maintaining a generally healthy diet (portions are a separate question) already can reduce the health care costs spent on “obesity” per se.

     Physical inactivity is a health risk for people of ALL weight ranges (people in the normal BMI range can get high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes if WHAT THEY EAT is not healthy and they are inactive).
107. iron_v says:

     November 28, 2008 at 11:59 am

     To Amber S.:

     Though I’m of the opinion people should work towards seeking a healthy weight, I agree with you that one cannot make snap judgements about people’s lifestyles from their size. Genetics plays a role (there are those w. thyroid issues), and one can’t assume that a larger person doesn’t take care of him/herself whereas smaller people are examples of great health. One student in our department frequented McD’s, eating Big Mac meals, and ate large portions when he ate out w. friends, and when asked if he worked out/exercised, replied “Not really.” Make no mistake, people who are thinner who have never been overweight have no idea how hard it is for overweight people to lose weight. Also, being thin and fit are not the same thing. In the gym where I work out, I have seen “fatter” people on cardio machines for hours, and “thin” people tire very quickly…
108. vcuchick says:

     December 1, 2008 at 9:25 am

     it is not just one factor that plays in here. yes it is the person’s own decesion to eat what they want but it is also the media who messes with out minds. say you are watching celebrity fit club or the biggest loser. what kind of commericals do they play? something for mcdonalds or wendys prehaps. the media plays a HUGE part in the obesity epidemic that has hit the US, telling us that its fast and hot we go grab some because of how easy it is. Now i’m not saying that people are not to blaim because we sure are (i’m only 5′1 and i weigh about 200lbs) I do not blaim it all on the media but until i started doing a research paper for my FI class i didn’t even realize how big of a role the media plays in all of this.
109. Live in Colorado says:

     December 1, 2008 at 2:31 pm

     There’s a lot of drama about Southern States being less healthy, but it looks to me like there’s a lot of obese people everywhere. In Colorado 1 out of 5 people is obese, and Mississippi 1 out of 3. The states in the middle, 1 out of 4. So Mississippi has a lot of obese people, but so does Colorado- 1 out of 5 is still a high number for obesity.

     Also, Colorado had 55% as being either overweight or obese- so that’s not really that impressive. That’s half the population!!! That doesn’t convince me that people here, in Co, are more educated and care more about their bodies than someone from Louisiana. It just means they have a few less fat people. Basically, the numbers themselves are not so significant that you can justify making ugly accusations about one state or another.

     If I had to take a guess as why, I’d say where you have more poverty, there is more obesity. Also, being slim is not as important in some areas as it is in others (i.e. Mississippi vs. New York).
110. I too live in Colorado says:

     December 4, 2008 at 1:28 pm

     I live in Colorado too and I agree with Live in Colorado that 55% of the population isn’t much better. I think this study is funny. I have lived in a few different states and find overweight or not overweight to be because of many factors. Who cares what state is overweight or not, or what person is overweight or not. I just find it funny that for instance, in ND there is a requirement to take gym class all 4 years, as opposed to the high school I went to in CO that states gym is only required through 10th grade.

     I can’t speak for other states or people, but I find there is more to do in CO outdoor and health wise. I am surrounded by health food stores, and outdoor activities and bike shops. But that is what I am interested in and look for. In no way am I saying there isn’t anything bad, but I try to stay away from that. For instance there is no tennis court that is less than 20 miles away. I have to drive to find one. I am surrounded by 10 fast food places anywhere from 5 blocks to 5 miles away as opposed to restaurants and grocery stores that are at least 7 miles or more away.

     I guess what I am saying is there are a lot of factors out there that make you obese or not, it just depends on how you, yourself handle it, because in reality that is who needs to take care of you.
111. Mississppi Gurl says:

     December 16, 2008 at 8:48 am

     I dont know but my health teacher says Louisianna is the fattest state now, and thats what it said on MSN. Where i live its really rae to see a extremly fat person or how you guys explain us. I’m in seventh grade and live in the best city in Mississippi so thats probaly why, Petal has like barely any fat people in its Middle school its like 1 out of 50 you see a fat person.
112. sc dude says:

     December 18, 2008 at 1:32 pm

     I have 9% body fat…and i’m from South Carolina…true there is a plethera of fried foods (yes i know what plethera means), but there are alternative sources of food, all that is required is the knowledge (which most southern people do not have). What is even more depressing is the fact that it stays warm enough in the south to go outside for a walk every month…could it be that food is not the only factor? could it be that the pressures of living in more successful states (the pressure for women to “look good” in New England excedes that of the south)? Diversity of the culture can play a huge role as well. Asian cultures are for the most part thin, and last i checked i only know 10 “asians (korean, japanese, chinese, vietnamese, cambodian…you get the idea) and none of them are obese…just some FOOD for thought lol
113. physicallyfitcoloradan says:

     December 18, 2008 at 5:50 pm

     I think the Mississippi people deserve a round of applause. I mean congratulations. They are the fattest people in the world! With their attitudes about how america owes them something yet they don’t want to obviously help themselves. They deserve that #1 ranking I am truely happy for those lazy slobs. Hopefully they can make it 4 years in a row or even 5. I’m sure they can do it.
114. Sydnei says:

     January 1, 2009 at 5:37 pm

     I am 5′1″ and 190lbs I agree that it is mostly my fault I am obese but I would like a few things taken into consideration.

     1. I live, work, and go to school in Louisiana so I do not make very much money. There are cheap healthy foods but they do not go far a $2 bag of apples lasts a week a $2 bag of rice lasts a month. When I go to the store with $20 to last me a week rice, flour, water, and Ramen are on top of the list.

     2. I go to school from 8am to noon and work from 2pm to 10pm if I eat it is 6am and midnight because it takes 2 hours to walk wherever I need to go, I have no car. I know not to eat that late at night but what is the alternative, starve.

     3. With all the walking I do plus school and work full time.that is the only exercise I get because I am too mentally and physically drained to do anything else.

     4. The thing I love about Louisiana food is the spices I find most food from other states bland, yes even Texas. I do not find it necissary to prepare the food in an unhealthy way just that the food is flavorful, cayenne pepper and herbs have little to no calories.

     If someone can give me a healthy shopping list of food that will last a week that does not exceed $30 I would be more than happy to be the healthiest eater alive. It also couldn’t hurt if the grocery list consisted of foods that can be carried on foot 1 mile by one person.
115. Sydnei says:

     January 1, 2009 at 6:07 pm

     In addition to my individual circumstance I have another issue, perception. I have no desire or intention to EVER be skinny I find it just as unhealthy and unattractive as obesity. I do want to lose weight but my goal for myself is still about 25lbs over my ideal weight so I would still be considered technically obese. I would love a flatter stomach and toned arms but other parts (hips, butt, breasts) are here to stay. Once I am happy with how I look call me obese all you want I will still be beautiful and happy and contrary to popular belief healthy.
116. Tommy says:

     January 1, 2009 at 9:09 pm

     There’s no problem with cheap food, and you don’t have to eat apples. Just eat less cheap food.
117. Belle says:

     January 4, 2009 at 9:43 pm

     Hey Ya’ll us Southern People eat lots of fruits and vegies and grow them ourselves in Summer. We also are Country Folks and get Lots of Exercise!!!!
118. Ellie says:

     January 5, 2009 at 6:53 pm

     I do not understand why Hawaii is ranked the second slimmest state. I live here, and oh my, there are SO MANY FAT PEOPLE! Obese people are everywhere, why are we the second slimmest state? The local food is so fattening, the samoans are morbidly obese, and a lot of the people are just happy-go-lucky and don’t care about what they eat, so what I’d like to know is why we are the second slimmest state..hmm..
119. PO'd at ELLE's Comment says:

     January 9, 2009 at 11:45 am

     What is your nationality and Where do you get off to say that Samoans are morbidly obese? First and foremost NOT all Samoans, Hwaiian’s Filipinos so on and so forth (ALL Islanders) are not obese!! Get your facts straight woman!! We may be happy go lucky must be the reason why you moved here in the first place!
120. Mississppi Prime Beef says:

     January 10, 2009 at 6:34 pm

     It is funny to hear everyone argue about ths issuue on why the state fat or why this state skinn. Why this state is lazy, Why this state goverment don’t do this and that. We can sit here read and write about it all day, but at the end of day everyone have to live with the lifestyle they choose. Weather you are fat, skinny, or moderate love yourself for who you are. If you don’t like yourself for being fat do something about it, and the goes with being skinny as well. I my self are a big fellow. Well let me be more persist 6′0 250lbs. By you seeing that you may think I’m just a blob, but I’m not. I’m a soldier and a damn fit one. By the BMI I’m 22%, that suppose to be bad. But yet my blood pressure is very good: I can run 2miles under 16 min, run 3 1/2 miles under 30min, and 5mile at 45min. Yes, due to my job I have to be in shape, but even when I wasn’t in service I was 290lbs college football player and could still move and flet great. I like my weight and who I am. I love my state as well. Yes we have some big people as well some skinny which I believe every state does.
     The matter of the fact is live yourself for who you are. Every can’t be fat, everyone can’t be skinny and everyone is never going to be fit. If everyone fit then there would’nt be any website like this one and peolpe wouldn’t have anything to argue about. We all was born to live and live the best way each of us see fit and die weather we liked our life or not. We so caught on some things that we don’t enjoy our lives. If you eat a burger you die from heart attack, you have certain kind of sex you die from AID,HIV etc., you sit outside in the sun to long you get cancer, you talk on a cell phone to long to get caner or go deaf. So, look like you going to die from something huh. It’s up to you what you die of. But I know I’m die a big man with my family and happy with myself.

     Live Life
     Spc. Crosby
     If you aint Cav, you anit…..
121. Quietly Watching says:

     January 12, 2009 at 9:20 am

     There is nothing funnier than the self-satisfaction of the congenitally thin.
122. CorpaorateLove says:

     January 19, 2009 at 4:46 am

     I love some of the great reception you get croc from corporate sympathizers.
     You don’t think that big AG gets millions in subsidies by our government to support High Fructose Corn Syrup and needless unhealthy food? Big agriculture corporations are entirely at fault for our obesity. Fast food and processed food are the biggest contributors to it. And finding nonprocessed food is a lot harder to find than organic food BTW!

     Theres a farmers market in most towns and cities but they only come around a couple of days a week if you are lucky. Access to real food is a real concern. There are some places that only have fast food in their area and you have to go as far as five miles to get regular food. THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION. People who say there is don’t live in ghettos where I have lived. Okay discount the working class – as per usual. As MeduimRare says,

     “Another fact is that there is a huge imbalance between people of different walks in terms of what they know and what they have easy access to. Middle and Upper class educated people get information sooner. They see doctors more regularly. Healthy living is a lot easier for them to come by. Poorer people tend to be around more junk, cigarettes, liquor stores, etc. Go to a poor neighborhood. Go inside a discount grocery store some time. See what’s on the shelves. I’ve been in places where there is NO PRODUCE. None. Not some. None.”

     Personal responsibility has some part to play but when we look at the larger forces at work – you have to point to advertising, convenience and pricing out the competition of good quality food. We can work on these together and work on education on what a healthy diet comprises.
123. people watcher says:

     January 24, 2009 at 8:58 am

     wow… after reading half a years worth of opinions here….
     I can’t help to think of the famous saying..

     “Be the change you want to see in the world”….

     or, if you’d rather just sit around and complain – hey, what ever makes you happy.
124. Francesco C says:

     January 24, 2009 at 11:37 pm

     I came in the usa last summer (visited florida) and everyone was fat! i mean unbelivably fat!
     Now i see its nowhere near the fattest state! there is something very wrong with your diets… probably the orrible food you eat (at least for me) but i think your government should really do something before it’s too late! The funny thing is that the standard of beaty is a slim person..
     Is that hard to do a little walk when you want to eat? I hope this disease don’t spread to europe too…
125. chuckie says:

     January 29, 2009 at 8:54 am

     I’m sorry folks but if you over eat, you will gain weight, even if you eat healthy! If our government takes on the responsibility for our eating habits we are in big trouble.

     I think it’s supposed to work this way: don’t eat fatty or junk foods and the manufacturers/suppliers will go out of business. Capitalism, anyone?
126. jess says:

     January 31, 2009 at 3:41 pm

     Im not surprised connecticut is a state with a low obesity factor…. my friends and I do eat what we want but its in moderation alot of people here eat healthy… its not a crime to have a piece of chocolate cake once in a while but not the whole cake…. our bodies werent made to digest so much fatty foods…. you have to keep a balanced diet.
127. Pippin says:

     February 18, 2009 at 4:01 pm

     I don’t think that poverty and obesity go hand in hand, or there’s something wrong with the data. I live in New Mexico, and we are poor, like dirt-floor poor. We constantly battle with MS for the lowest rung on a lot of ladders. And we’re ranked 40 on this list!

     So either something else is happening in NM than in MS (we should find out what that is) regardless of the poverty, or the data set isn’t accurate for NM. Which is what I suspect; if this data is garnered from physicians info, many people here don’t have the health insurance or money to go to the doctor (poor!) so possibly they aren’t being measured?

     Because I have a hard time imagining that we are that fit!

     I can however, believe that we are so poor we can’t afford to eat enough. That could be the case.
128. Lizz says:

     February 18, 2009 at 5:41 pm

     I was really surprised California wasn’t higher on the list. I live here and love it very much, but there are a vast amount of people who live fast pace lives. They don’t have time for home cooked meals that are healthy compared to that nasty fast food.
     Also, IT’S NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S FAULT PEOPLE ARE FAT!!!!!!! They don’t force us to eat chips, candy, cakes, brownies, drink soda, etc.
     They just allow people to have the items on the market..If people have no self control and want those fatty foods that’s their own decision.
129. harmon says:

     February 20, 2009 at 9:56 pm

     I just saw a special on the discovery channel on fat people. AND THE REASON THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE SO FAT IS THAT THEY HATE THEMSELVES. They may have had people in their environment who always teased them / ignored them and the only comfort they found was in food. FYI, I was fine until I went to grammar school and had to deal with jealous nasty children, some stupid uncaring jealous teachers and not being able to get out of my seat whenever I wished. I was fine at home!!! I had free reign outside! i was always playing in the stream and loving being me!
     MY FRESHMAN YEAR HIGH SCHOOL WAS HELL, BUT THEN THE SUMMER AFTER, I FINALLY SAID; ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. That summer I was in Germany with family and I had to walk a hell of a lot!!! (I also went on a starvation diet) and voila!!!
     BACK TO THE MAIN POINT: THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE USA IS THAT THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND YOU NEED A CAR FOR EVERYTHING!
130. V.Lin says:

     February 22, 2009 at 6:58 am

     It is not nice to stereotype these people as always eating ‘fried food’ or ‘not needing health care’. A lot of people in those areas live in small town settings were everyone is related. In such a setting it would be obvious that a lot of the people that genetically are made to be bigger will increase.
131. Really? says:

     February 27, 2009 at 9:41 am

     Yes, everyone knows there are some people whose natural metabolisms make it harder to loose weight. Harder, not impossible. The genes that we have now are the same genes that were around 25 years ago. Look at obesity data from that time period and tell me its about genetics.
132. Really? says:

     February 27, 2009 at 9:46 am

     http://www.thedenverchannel.com/health/2269064/detail.html

     Ten years ago Mississippi’s percetage was 22.8.
     Today that would be one of the best numbers out there.
     The biggest change we’ve seen over that time is less physical work due to technology. Physical activity has to be manufactured into your day now and most people don’t think the reward is worth the time.
133. Antonio says:

     February 28, 2009 at 12:31 pm

     People from the South should start exercising or something. Not only did they win for most obese but also for the most deaths caused by motor vehicles from 1999-2005. The South accounted for nearly half of the approximately 300,000 motor vehicle deaths in the U.S. between 1999 and 2005. The South also wins for most unhealthiest.

     South wins for

     Most Obese
     Most deaths caused by motor vehicles
     Most unhealthiest

     What’s next?

     I bet they win also for worst education.
134. hi says:

     March 3, 2009 at 9:26 am

     shut up fat ass
135. the truth says:

     March 14, 2009 at 1:04 pm

     why can’t everyone just be happy being who/what THEY ARE??? If one person is happy with being 300 pounds why do you care? If another person is happy being 110 pounds why do you care? The problem with the U.S. is that we have no sense of self. We look to “experts,” and other outside sources to tell us how WE should feel/look/be/talk/think/act. USE YOUR OWN BRAIN! If you’re overweight and want to change it, do the research and get MOVING. If you’re overweight and happy, damn what the people say! Live your life! ONE LOVE! PEACE & BLESSINGS!

     p.s. to all the ladies, real men love something to hold onto! We don’t like being stabbed by skinny pelvic bones! LOL
136. Angela says:

     March 20, 2009 at 11:22 am

     Hi, Just wanted to drop a note on everything I’v read today. I’m stunned in a ton of ways. I am not over weight Iam not under educated I am married I have 6 children and have probably been in most every situation you can think of, and by the way I cant type but that doesnt mean im not educated LOL.
     I live in Alabama, and I’m amazed I havnt read much about my state. People being obeast is a pet pea of mine, it just drives me crazy that people choose to be fat, but that is there choice, but it isn’t there choice to make there children fat that is wrong. Its one thing to make wrong choices for your self but at least give your children a chance to make there own choices. Some one who is fat knows the problems you have encountered from being made fun of to not dating on up to the more serious problems of health witch does effect the rest of us in the cost of our health care. Though I dont think the goverment should be a part of it I do think iam entilted to my opion because it effects me and mine. I dont like buying your twinkies by way of health care
     and I dont like you training a new generation to do the same and put them throuh the same pains you have encountered and if any part of it is lazyness it would be the part where you dont teach your children different I know as a parrent I have made tons of mistakes but I also have took great pains in trying to assure that my children didnt make the same ones after all they are going to make enough new mistakes at least warn them of the mistakes you are aware of and i dnt believe any one is completely happy being fat, you can say you are happy all you want too, but there no way you wouldn’t rather be of normal size so if you can d it for you self at least help your children keep from being in the same boat, and thats not being rude thats just fact your not much of a parrent if you dont guide your children in the right direction to the best of your knowledge in every thing and it has been my experience if you see a fat parrent you also see a fat child, that is just wrong. I think you are just setting them up for a life of pain, I think it should be considered chile abuse because it is abusing there little bodies and it is the parrents fault no way around it they learn what you teach them.

     p.s. none of my 6 children are fat and were not wealthy, we just dont sit around stuffing our faces all the time
137. Angela says:

     March 20, 2009 at 11:35 am

     Before the comments start I told you I cant type. LOL
138. Joan says:

     March 26, 2009 at 1:27 pm

     I’m from Colorado, and I just made a trip to the South. I immediately noticed the difference in the population. It’s very obvious. Coloradans are thinner because we’re active. Most people exercise, whether it’s walking and running or skiing, snowboarding, etc. Mountain biking is huge and so is hiking. The Rocky Mountains get us moving, and the cities and towns all put a premium on open space, parks, and trails. It’s part of the lifestyle. Coloradans probably eat as much bad food as people in the fatter states, but the general lifestyle is active.
139. Alyssa says:

     March 26, 2009 at 10:24 pm

     I’m from the south and I agree with Joan that it all has to do with activity. I’ve visited Colorado and every time I have been there I ended up losing a few pounds simply because there was so much to do! I am from Oklahoma and am at the average weight for my height but there is really not a lot to do here that involves fun and exercise. I could ski and snowboard all day in Colorado but we just dont have the same opportunities in other states.
140. Too The Point says:

     April 8, 2009 at 2:22 pm

     Sorry, but you’re all missing the point. The only way CalorieLab.com can even get this information is from health records. That means they get their data from participating hospitals and clinics. In the main, the people who are the most unhealthy go to hospitals and clinics, with a few just going for their regularly-scheduled, insurance-covered check-ups. That means the data is by definition skewed to begin with.

     In addition, the issues of genetically-modified foods, partially-hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, soy, and high fructose corn syrup have yet to be mentioned in any of the conversations herein. These are all found in today’s processed (not just fast) foods and contribute most to the ill health many of us are experiencing. And not all medical tests are going to show just how unhealthy we all may be due to parasites and things the most generalized and insurance-covered medical tests don’t cover.

     Bottom line: regardless of where you live and how many jobs you have, you probably have friends, and they may even have friends, etc., that could conceivably have a garden that you could contribute to in some way, shape or form, be it getting some seeds (either by eating something fresh and saving them or out-and-out buying them), buying a garden tool or some organic fertilizer, composting your own fruits and veggies in a coffee can by the sink, helping out a little on the site, or whatever.

     If you don’t like vegetables, well, I can’t help you. You will be in the unhealthy category. But I bet once you try a garden-fresh tomato or savor a home-cooked meal made from the “fruits” of that garden, you will change your tune. But you owe it to yourself to at least try to get a little healthier, even if it’s little-by-little. Free recipes abound on the internet.

     Forgo that soda or that hamburger and make some natural stevia-sweetened tea and make a delicious rice pilaf with some of your favorite veggies and a little meat, if you like, seasoned to your liking. Sure, maybe you can’t do it every day, but maybe just once a week on a weekend. Who knows? You might just make enough to enjoy it a few more days in the week.

     Just a few thoughts….To your health!
141. do your research says:

     April 9, 2009 at 12:01 pm

     Specifically to “Too the point” (which by the way, is grammatically wrong) – The source data is “CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.” This is not “health records” as you say. It’s a random-digit dial telephone survey assessing the health behaviors of Americans. Do you research before you share incorrect information!
142. To The Point says:

     April 10, 2009 at 1:36 pm

     Right on both counts, “do your research.” I fat-fingered the name and it was sent before I realized my mistake. Thanks also for your clarification of the survey data source. I stand corrected. The information is still volunteered, but in a more statistically accurate forum.

     Hope you found the rest of my post more informative.

     Thanks!
143. April says:

     April 10, 2009 at 8:51 pm

     Yay! Utah is one of the skinner states! But there still are some fatties walking around. Mostly mexican.
144. Penny says:

     April 12, 2009 at 2:09 pm

     I’m from Vancouver, leanest city in Canada and I’ve got to say, every time I pass the borders, I can feel the immediate change in the atmosphere!
     The people here in Canada are really thin due to the fresh fish and vegetables! Not to mention the air is clean and fresh and we do move around alot. Second thing, food here is sadly, quite expensive. I was so surprised when I went to the US Walmart and found a pint of Haagen Daz ice-cream for $3! The average Haagen Daz ice-cream in Vancouver is like $8!
     Big difference. I guess the cheaper they make bad food, the more you buy, therefore end up overweight or obese. Seriously, I don’t see more than 2+ overweight/obese people when I go out.
145. Anne says:

     April 14, 2009 at 8:32 pm

     I live in California so we’re pretty much in the middle. I believe that the only way we can get these rates down is to do what most people should know how to do anyways which is eat right and excercise. This is not about education, and it is most certainly not about government. Also just by the rank of a state on this map people can not assume that everyone in Mississippi is fat or that everyone in Colorado is thin. Obesity is a much bigger issue than most people seem to realize, in fact, obesity is now second only to smoking as a cause of mortality in the United States and about 280,000 Americans die every year as a result of being overweight.
146. person says:

     April 18, 2009 at 12:53 pm

     hi, ive been reading these commentsand i am very fustrated
     why are we argueing about food
     about obesity
     food is a beautiflul thing – its shaped many cultures and peolpe eat from where they are located and other factors
     and america not just the south and not just the north
     we are country with the highest obesity rate
     food is beautiful and delicous
     many people think that the u.s. is united- uh yea right not if we argue about food and obestiy rates
     im from the south and it is teamong with fat and skinny people but i am one of the skinny (130kbs. & 6′10″)
     so peoples do not argue about these things and actually tyr and be calm about this
     if you are proud of yourself then dont argue about chicken wing stuff like this
147. ELCHANAN says:

     April 29, 2009 at 2:17 pm

     I’ve made the decision to work hard to get the weight off. I feel it’s always been my responsibility and is still my responsibility to get into shape. However, I think it may be beneficial if a similar survey for which states have the the most wretched personalities. I agree that responsibility should be on the individual’s shoulders, but I’m not sure where people have the right to judge others based on their size and to be absolute jerks about it. Calling people names and thinking you’re somehow better is not a proven method of encouragement, but it is a proven method of selfishness and lack of compassion, not to mention intelligence. There’s a saying… ” I may be fat, but you’re ugly and I can diet!” Have a nice day.
148. anne says:

     May 6, 2009 at 12:27 pm

     I am a life-long resident of Colorado and I’ve been both skinny and overweight. For me, the change came in the mid-80’s when the government’s policy of subsidizing animal feed resulted in meat getting very cheap. My family of 5 went from having a 1lb meat loaf with veggies for dinner to having big portions of hamburger, steak, and chicken at every meal.

     I’ve had success losing weight in two ways: one was working out a lot (7 hours of intense exercise a week) and another time I used Weight Watchers. By weighing everything and looking up the calorie counts for what I was eating I learned that I eat a lot more calories than it seems like I’m eating.

     So I agree some with those who argue about government subsidies, but I’ve also seen that my personal actions have an impact too. I am lucky in that I live in a place where it is normal to walk/bike/hike/play outside, but I still have to go do it.
149. lily says:

     May 9, 2009 at 6:13 pm

     I live in miami and i see alot of people that are overweight. and for the record its not about the price of healthy food or anything like that its just focusing and exercising and wanting to look good and feel comfortable with ur self.
     if people want to be overwieght and there happy like that then i say just let them be happy
     i hate ppl that discriminate ughhhh grow up and just worry about ur life not others!!!

     btw; im 125 pounds , im not overweight.
150. Jon says:

     May 12, 2009 at 9:25 am

     I’d love to see a map showing the total number of obese people – percentages can hide the real numbers – 25% of 1 million is only 250,000 people … 22% of ten million is 2.2 Million – A difference of 3% and almost 2 million people …
151. Jon says:

     May 12, 2009 at 12:16 pm

     Here are the lists – Top Ten – based on 7/30/2007 census populations and the statistics provided in this article

     State Obese Obese/Overweight

     1. California (42) 8,475,965 21,462,745
     2. Texas (14) 6,819,222 15,688,978
     3. New York (32) 4,954,476 12,026,747
     4. Florida (40) 4,386,086 11,301,906
     5. Illinois (31) 3,283,407 8,080,260
     6. Pennsylvania (18) 3,452,741 7,787,296
     7. Ohio (17) 3,225,217 7,288,302
     8. Michigan (16) 2,834,041 6,462,015
     9. Georgia (9) 2,733,186 6,190,143
     10. North Carolina (12) 2,594,937 5,840,870

     This list is sorted by Overweight and Obese Total Numbers
     The Number in Parentheses is the state ranking in your report based on %Obese

     15. Tennessee (4)
     22. Alabama (2)
     25. Louisiana (3)
     30. Mississippi (1)
     36. West Virginia (5)

     Oh, and Colorado … #26 with 934,655 Obese and 2,697,423 Obese and Overweight

     46. South Dakota (22)
     47. Alaska (13)
     48. North Dakota (23)
     49. Vermont (46)
     50. Wyoming (39)
     51. Washington DC (46)

     Maybe check out “Lying with Statistics’ for your next report …
152. Heather says:

     May 18, 2009 at 2:18 pm

     Make healthy eating choices, an apple still costs less than a bag of chips, and EXERCISE – are clear to me from this study. The fact is that the more physically active people and the more the community supports eating healthy, the healthier people are. I’ve lived in several places in the country and I can tell you that how and what people eat varies not just based on what is available and affordable. In FL the junk food costs more than fresh fruit and vegetables and people spend a lot of time in their cars, but you will often see people out exercising morning, noon and night. In New York, the fruit and vegetables available at the corner store are always in front of you but more than anything people walk, a lot. Out West, daily hiking was excercise and enjoyment for me. So… Make healthy choices and EXERCISE seems clear. The more sedentary you are the more likely you are to be fat and continue eating bad food, no matter what your metabolism is. Water is a lot more enjoyable after exercise, that’s for sure.
153. larry clemenson says:

     June 8, 2009 at 1:49 pm

     it seems few of the posting authors above have looked at the actual questionnaires that were used for the report above. it is identified as the cdc’s behavioral risk factor surveillance system database in the small print after the table of states.
     basically it is a questionnaire. people were evidentl called randomly in various states and asked about behaviors that are known to be harmful in certain situations. these behaviors include drinking, smoking, drugs, sleep patterns, diet, exercise, at risk sex and so on.
     each question has usually four answers, often of the never, rarely, sometimes and all the time format. i think what the authors have done is make a multiple choice test with one question that is “best”, one that is “worst” and two in between. they have then counted the number of best answers per population in each state.
     so for example, one state might have 50% giving the best answer to a question, 30% giving the worst answer, and 10% for each of the two answers in between. (though statistics is not this neat).
     i think it is wrong to assume that states with high factors are obese or overweight. the cdc questionnaire seems to be about overall health. and weight is only part of that.
     i think we should all access the test, which is long (85 pages) and has many parts on a lot of areas. give it to yourself and friends in some anonymous fashion and see how your area stacks up to a health standard. remember this is how healthy you are. and there are people with clogged arteries in colorado just as there are healthy people in mississippi.
     you do not have to take the whole test. i suppose every fifth question would be fine or whatever. but how healthy you are is vital. find out and change for the better.
154. Jason Yun says:

     June 10, 2009 at 6:09 pm

     It should be the goal of every fitness professional to educate and help their local community end this epidemic. Columbus ohio get ready for me!
155. Jay says:

     June 21, 2009 at 10:06 am

     Half my family is in California and half is in Arkansas after a split up in the 1930’s. We are still a tight bunch and have reunions. Both groups are farmer types, so it’s not “chic vs hick”, but at supper time, the difference in dishes is clear. Californian food is bright and colorful and the Arkansas food is brown.

     California: steamed and raw vegetables, grilled meats and seafood, light sauces, fruit.

     Arkansas: Smoked pork and fried chicken. Batter fried things you wouldn’t think to batter fry. Casseroles and mac’ n cheese type dishes. Unusual food combination’s involving gravy. If any vegetable isn’t fried, it is boiled until brown. Also, 40% of the ‘food’ seems to be a desert of some type.

     Anyway, I love my annual fried chicken and banana pudding, but I would have to categorize southern food as junk food. I must also bear witness to some of the extreme weight problems many of my cousins have and the epidemic of diabetes, heart disease and immune deficiencies that plague them. They are quite literally dying off.
156. Sara says:

     July 1, 2009 at 11:25 am

     I am overweight. I eat moderately and have started exercising 2+ hours a day, but I have not lost any weight. Losing weight is a lot more difficult and takes a lot more time than many people think. If you’re already on the overweight side of the fence, the best you can do is try to change and become healthier. We DO NOT need all of those people out there who continue to berate us. It’s really disheartening to do 2 hours of cardio and 100 weight repetitions only to have someone scream pig noises at me out of a car when I walk home. Don’t make assumptions. Maybe that 200 pound girl/guy you are quietly judging has already lost 50 pounds. Maybe they are inactive and eat poorly, but they are thinking to themselves right at that moment that they ought to make a change. If you really want people to care about themselves more, try encouraging them instead of making them feel horrid all of the time.
157. Jules from K.C.,MO. says:

     July 1, 2009 at 11:37 am

     I don’t beleive that the government should regulate what we eat. I find that comment rediculous! The food companies list the ingredients on the side of the packaging. If people are to lazy to read what is in their food or just don’t want to look then that is up to them. The government already butts in too much as it is! I beleive in moderation. I grew up on a farm and we ate fresh veggies, fruit and a lot of beef, but we worked it off. Maybe Americans should just try a little thing called exercise and hard work for a change instead of sitting around eating McDonalds and complainging!!
158. Sam says:

     July 2, 2009 at 7:52 am

     I think that if the gov’t started controlling all of our food, I’d definately have to leave. The only way to get people to start eating healthy is to educate them and hope they make the right choices to eat better. I personally eat fairly healthy food most of the time, but i still love going to McDonalds every now and then for a hamburger or fries, and thats totally my right.
159. Duke says:

     July 2, 2009 at 11:45 am

     I am a 46 year 0ld guy living a healthy lifestyle in Kentucky (7th fattest state). This means I look pretty good compared to most people my age around here. Heck, I may have to move to Mississippi.
160. Zid says:

     July 5, 2009 at 11:59 am

     Interesting comment about the “Krispy Kreme” donut shops – I live in Colorado, having been born in South Dakota and spent some time in California and Montana. My husband, who is from Florida, drools every time we pass the local Krispy Kreme shop.

     On the other hand, I tried a Krispy Kreme – once – neraly vomited, and would not eat another one for a thousand dollars. The oils they use are borderline rancid (as are the oils in most fast-food restaurants), and the so-called ‘food’ is basically sugar, highly refined flour and AIR… Yuk.

     Regional culture and food traditions do heavily influence one’s diet, in my opinion.
161. Zid says:

     July 5, 2009 at 12:12 pm

     By the way, you so-called ‘Coloradoans’ who are advertising the state’s appeal, aren’t using your heads – you’re worse than John Denver! Remind people of the 5-foot snowstorms we have; icy sidewalks for two – five months out of the year (I have 4 sets of “Yaktrax” and one I made myself with more ‘teeth’), Rocky Mountain ticks (and spotted fever, and tick fever)…

     OTHERwise, you’ll have all these obese Southerners moving into the state, thinking that moving to Colorado will be some *magic* solution to their obesity…

     Isn’t it bad enough that the blasted Texans tried to annex southern Colorado some decades back?? Let them learn how to exercise in their own blasted hot climate!! Which, by the way, is easier than they may realize…

     Purchase a spray bottle. Pour enough water into it so that you can place it ON ITS SIDE in the freezer, leaving a bit of room for the water to expand as it freezes.

     After it has frozen on one side, repeat the process twice [or thrice], turning the bottle (and holding it in position with a bag of frozen broccoli or green beans) so that you end up with water frozen on three – four sides of the bottle.

     You can now pour water into the remaining ‘well’, place the spray ‘pump’ stem into said ‘well’ in the center of the ice, and spray yourself with ice water while you exercise. This lasts about 1-2 hours here in Colorado; your results may vary.

     You can add citronella, lavender or other mosquito-repelling element – I would recommend making a ‘tea’ from the plant’s leaves, as opposed to using an essential oil, which might clog up the spray pump…

     As to not being able to afford food in the South, most people have SOME sort of access to a plot of land – one’s front yard, even potted ‘container’ gardening – to help alleviate the alleged ‘high’ cost of fruits and vegetables…
162. Rabid says:

     July 10, 2009 at 9:20 am

     Of course, Mississippi is the fattest state, it’s got one of the nation’s highest indexes of welfare and food stamps. All they do is have babies so they can have more welfare stamps. It’s also one of the lowest educated states in the country as well. Child abuse is probably real high on the national index too. Why does this cause any wonder?
163. margie toupous says:

     July 10, 2009 at 5:01 pm

     Healthy food is expensive. A diet consisting of fish, lean meat and fruits and vegetables is much most costly than a diet consisting of white bread, fatty hamburger, corn bread etc. which is all some can afford. I live in Michigan, a state that grows poorer and fatter by the year. We are losing the auto industry and we are also cursed with a short growing season. Another issue, across this country is the food industry and the highly processed food widely advertised. Most food sold in grocery stores is o the unhealty variety. Look around the next time you go shopping. I am diabetic and if I eat ANY processed food, such as chips, cookies , bread, crackers, cereal, etc. my disease goes out of contol.
164. Veronica says:

     August 3, 2009 at 5:06 pm

     I’m really surprised Ohio is not higher on the list. Where I live (Cincinnati) all I see is fat people! Everywhere I go at least half the people, including kids, are noticeably overweight. I can only imagine what it must be like in Mississippi….
165. Paulette says:

     August 3, 2009 at 8:36 pm

     There is an alternative to unhealthy snacks and if you like chocolate, have I got an opportunity for you! It is called Xocai and it’s the only HEALTHY CHOCOLATE. What makes it healthy is the antioxdants that we all need since we don’t eat the recommended amounts, especially our children.

     Quite a few people who began eating Xocai have lost weight. You seem to have more energy, crave sweets less (maybe because it is low glycemic) and have less appetitie when you eat Xocai. The power bar is 150 calories and very filling with a bottle of water and a piece of fruit, it makes a great lunch.

     And for the kid in all of us, there is a great tasting cookie that’s just loaded with antioxidants.

     Chocolate is a better delivery system than milk products when it comes to probiotics, so the xobiotic chocolate (which also tastes so yummy) is the answer for gastric problems.

     I know I sound like I am promoting candy, but I AM NOT. Xocai products are superfoods that just taste great. They are nautural and made with unprocessed cocoa, acai berries and blueberries with no fillers or waxes.

     Just 3 pieces of chocolate (totaling 100 calories) are equivalent in antioxidants to eating 1.6 pounds of spinach or 6.5 pounds of tomatoes. I know we can’t always eat healthy so I’m promoting Xocai Healthy Chocolate.
     I lost 6 pounds without trying and I feel great.

     If you want more info, please contact me
     http://www.ultimatechocolatevisions.com
166. Paula says:

     August 7, 2009 at 3:20 pm

     If lack of education and poverty is to blame, as many seem to think here, by is it that the countries in Latin America (for example), that have much less resources than the US, don’t have this obesity epidemics?
     I think there are tons of other factors that are not being considered here:
     * Reasons why people eat more than they should: Why do people eat? What emotional problems are they trying to hide behind food?
     * Change of habits. A change in mentality is needed. Maybe good behaviour should be rewarded (staying healthy = paying less for your life ensurance, for example).

     I think the government, if not responsible, could do more to help improve this situation:
     *City planning:
     Has someone else noticed how more and more cities are not designed to walk/ride a bike? The city I live in doesn’t even have side walks. Should I want to go to the shops across the highway, I would have to use my car. There is no way I could go there walking.
     Nor there is public transportation. A lot of people would use public transportation if it were available. Walking 4 blocks to the bus stop, helps you move. Going up and down the Metro stairs helps too.
     Both suggestions are not only good for the people but also for the environment.

     *School:
     Why cannot they teach kids to cook healthy? Choose smartly when they shop?
     A new meaning to the Home Economics class.
     The government could improve the cafeteria food for more healthy options.

     There is a lot that needs to be done. And yes, the choice belongs to each one of us. Many people here are saying that they are not overweight. But it’s important that everybody understands that this is not only a matter of being overweight or not. This is a matter of eating healthy to be healthy.

     Just an opinion.
167. Nicole says:

     August 9, 2009 at 12:24 am

     This website is wrong, I live in Hawaii and everyone here is extremely overweight… even the kids. It’s rare to see people of average size here, I would bet this is the fattest state. People are super lazy and the culture over here is to eat non stop. (lots and lots of fast food and spam)
168. george wilder says:

     August 10, 2009 at 8:56 pm

     The question Jack Karle asks …Why should I have to pay for someone else’s bad decisions?

     The answer is…
     You should paid for other folks bad decsions is because You Can!
     You know the saying “To each his need and To each his ability”

     This is change you can believe in … Right?? per OB.
169. carrie says:

     August 27, 2009 at 7:41 pm

     I can’t believe Hawaii is 2nd leanest I have been there and to several islands and they are HUGE! All they do is eat being there’s not much to do on the island besides eat…..That one is fishy!!!!
170. sarah says:

     September 2, 2009 at 10:09 am

     Simple solution…. you all need to eat rat poison. Every last one of you. Picking on fat people is like picking on someone with glasses. Some people are just pre dispositioned to be heavier. You skinny people are sitting down at your computer just as the heavier people are. Most of these comments are just childish and the problem doesnt lie with the physical appearances these days. It lies with you. Your all hollow inside and you should just call it quits and eat rat poison. Oh yeah and i hope all of your children are still-born so you can’t repopulate this planet with more of your insensitivity.
171. whatevauthink says:

     September 2, 2009 at 11:51 am

     The main problem is health food cost more than junk food which it should be the other way around. many people struggle with money and have to go with what is cheaper. Second its easier to get fast food that doesnt have much of a variety of healthy food when your in a hurry to a job etc… With the economy getting worse its causing more people to become depressed not only that those who have illnesses and injurys so they turned to food as a comfort… Also if you think about it people want food that taste good and dont have much of an education on how to make healthy food taste good and many restraunts/ fast food places dont give you many options except salads basically… If restraunts took time to add healthy foods that taste great people would be more willing to buy it…
172. Nicolle says:

     September 2, 2009 at 2:40 pm

     …I get this funny feeling that the problems Americans have with speaking English correctly are far worse than the problems they have with weight.
173. rina says:

     September 4, 2009 at 3:49 am

     I think it is pathetic if you are overweight and don’t want to lose weight. And I am sick of hearing people giving reasons for why they are overweight. It’s simple, you eat to much, do too little. And I know, because I used to weigh 260 pounds. Life is way more fun when you are feeling healthy!
174. TeresaB says:

     September 7, 2009 at 4:17 am

     I first find it funny that everyone is so judgemental that others have spelling errors. I’ll have them to, so please spare me the nasty comments.

     Secondly, this should really not be about people in the south eat junk, and people who live in the North eat bland food.

     It also has nothing to do with governmet controlling food.

     I completely disagree that people are fat becuase they can not afford “health” foods, and have to eat at fast food chains to survive. I can make my family a healthy and well balanced meal for less money than we would spend at a fast food resturant. A family of four people would probably cost around $20.00 to all eat at a fast food resturant. I can make a large dinner for way less than that of which all of my family will eat.

     People are overweight because they typically live unhealthy lifestyles. I think if you want to be fat. Well then have at it. However, don’t make bad excuses for yourself. There are people that sometimes have medical issues that cause them to be over weight, and there are sometimes people who just eat to much and move to little.

     This all comes down to 100% accountability. As an adult you and only you are 100% responsible for what goes into your mouth, and how active you are.
175. teach, don't taunt says:

     September 12, 2009 at 6:13 pm

     what horrible poison affects the hearts and minds of the ‘great american people’, that so many who have expressed their thoughts on this board can somehow feel self-righteously justified to act mean, mean, MEAN. however, a glance back over this country’s history shows that while the attitude is ugly, unfortunately it is nothing new. but how have so many of us learned so little about living together in kindness and unity from the dramatic strides achieved- at great cost- by our civil rights movement? … or…
     does our heritage of separatist elitism subtly rear its venomous head yet again?

     in addition, it would seem from the cross-section of the american public who has responded here, that very few people appear to be properly educated on the real roots of what is now a global crisis of obesity… although a handful of you did mention such things as Corn Syrup, Additives, and GMO tinkering.

     may i recommend putting in a fair amount of research, before labeling anyone as ‘lazy’? Try, for example, googling keywords such as “effects of HFCS”, “food additives list”, “toxicity of food additives”, “processed vs unprocessed” et al. Perhaps you will discover some unpleasant facts about much of the food produced for our consumption, you might even find yourself (as i did) intrigued to the point of putting in hours of digging for further information.

     using High Fructose Corn Syrup as one example of many, you may be shocked to discover that it has been shown time and again to be Highly Addictive, dramatically altering both brain and pancreatic function… and coincidentally that it is by far the sweetener most commonly used in commercially prepared foods and beverages, whether served up in a fast food restaurant, or packaged as a ‘healthier’ item for a grocery store or high-end restaurant. high fructose syrups are not limited to corn either… a version currently being touted as a ‘healthy alternative’, the far pricier Agave Syrup commonly available in spendy natural foods stores has recently been shown to be similar to HFCS in its effects on the human organs.
     High Fructose Syrups are not readily recognized by the body as a ‘food’. Instead, the brain reads it as a drug, and the pancreas & liver are triggered to release the hormones causing it to be stored away for future use… as fat, regardless of total calories consumed. thus, a double whammy to the body. then once out of the digestive system, the brain sends messages to the body to obtain more… more… more…. and so the cycle continues. with HFS, it is not as much about ‘personal like’ as it is about ‘physical need’. in other words, true addiction-with corresponding weight gain- typically results.

     there are many factors involved in the burgeoning obesity crisis, and these comments on corn syrup are by no means meant to be simplistic. i would encourage all readers to take initiative to THOROUGHLY educate themselves on what precisely is in the foods and beverages they consume, and why those additives are being used. Please remember, the bottom line of Capitalism really is quite simple: it is always Profit-Motivated. therefore, if an expensive ingredient can be replaced with a cheaper ingredient, the company profits. if the cheaper ingredient happens to be a free byproduct of some other manufacturing process, so much the better. and when it also happens to be an ingredient which ultimately drives the consumer to purchase and consume more- a proverbial ‘Win-Win Situation’ is the obvious economic result.

     again using the high fructose syrups as an illustration- consider the timeline: what correlation do you find between the introduction of HFCS/HFS and the beginning of rising obesity rates in our country? how does the increase in production of processed foods in general compare with the increase in america’s obesity? compare similar statistics on a timeline for other nations (japan and france are two suggestions). for bonus work, find similar statistics for various health issues and other chemicals now commonly found in commercially produced foods. are there countries that have chosen to avoid certain additives typically found in american foods? if so, for what reasons, and what has been the net result? how do the obesity statistics correlate to the foods and food chemicals used in other nations? how many food additives were in use more than 50 years ago? 30 years? 10?

     class, it is time to begin your homework assignment. please feel free to share some of the insights gained through your research experiment.
176. JB says:

     September 17, 2009 at 4:59 pm

     I was born and raised in Boston, while my wonderful husband is from Alabama. Now, I am not bashing the south. I visit my husband’s home city frequently, and there are many positive aspects of it. However, the way *most* people there eat is atrocious! I have never seen so many fast food restaurants in my life. I saw more fried food on my last trip than I ever care to encounter. Ask for an order of carrots at Cracker Barrel, and you’ll get a bowl of melted butter with carrots floating on the top. Talk about gross!
     I will also say that I have never seen more fat people than I have in the south. Yes, there are fat people up here, but not nearly as many. Many southerners try to use the “it’s our heritage” excuse, which is BS. No “heritage” should revolve around ruining your body.
     I have never been overweight, and neither has my husband. The only reason he hasn’t been, though, is because he’s blessed to have an extremely fast metabolism. When we met, the healthiest thing he ate was frozen pizza. It was all about fried chicken, mashed potatoes, fried okra (whatever the hell that awful crap is), mac and cheese, and gallons of sweet tea. Fortunately, he’s learned to eat his “soul food” in moderation and to like healthy food in the past 20 years. If he hadn’t, I do not think he would be alive today.
     The bottom line is that people can blame money woes or thyroid issues all they want, but the cause of excessive weight gain is usually poor lifestyle habits. So go on and complain that our healthy food up here doesn’t taste as good. I’d rather be lean and fit than a fat, unhealthy tub who munches on biscuits and gravy.
177. JB says:

     September 17, 2009 at 5:01 pm

     Oh, and to Sarah, I hope you rot in hell for that comment. Anyone who would wish such things on an innocent child is a pathetic waste of (likely fat) cells. Go choke on a Twinkie, fatass.
178. raven says:

     September 21, 2009 at 12:58 am

     Actually, suppressed thyroid is very common in the states due to a diet that inhibits it’s function. You will find that people in other countries have a naturally higher metabolism by at least 10%. This combined with a heavily lobbied government pushing of 6-11 servings of grain per day (classic food pyramid) and high fructose corn syrup in everything from bread to tomato sauce and rancid soybean oil in everything else…I’m surprised it’s not worse.

     Not an easy fix due to politics involved. It’s a very serious development that makes the current financial mess seem pretty tame in my eyes. Losing your house or job is nothing compared to a lifetime of fatigue and autoimmune issues.
179. teach, don't taunt says:

     September 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm

     oh yes – and thank you, Raven!
     you make an excellent point about excessive grain consumption (the average body attempts to store rather than burn these calories, unless there is also a correspondingly high intake of fresh fruits & veggies at the same time) and about SOY. i’ll skip the lecture this time, and instead point readers toward directly reading some of the research on the effects the ubiquitous soybean has on human thyroid function at:

     http://www.zenzibar.com/Articles/issoysafe.asp

     if the hyperlink doesn’t work, just go to zenzibar.com and type Is Soy Safe into the search box.

     this type of information is not as easy to search out, as soy still holds much public & political sway. but as more american women discover the roots of their own thyroid problems in all those tasty and “healthy” soy products deluging the markets, we are certain to see more information on this subject begin to appear.

     stay tuned.
180. sam says:

     September 22, 2009 at 10:12 pm

     I love being fat!!!
181. duder01 says:

     October 4, 2009 at 10:37 pm

     Most of the fatty stuff Americans eat contains corn syrup. Corn Syrup is cheap. Its cheap because the GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZES CORN that usually made into corn syrup. Poor people buy cheap foods because its what they can afford. Since the products containing corn syrup is cheap, guess what poor Americans usually buy and in huge bulk? Want Americans to stop being fat? Well change the law to subsidize more healthy produce instead of corn to make healthy food cheaper and America’s waist line will thin down. It is not that complicated to figure out.
182. ValleyGirl says:

     October 22, 2009 at 7:54 pm

     to someone who said something about california and obesity:

     yes, we have wayyyy too many overweight ppl here, and depending on the area you will see more or less of them. however, there are a lot of healthy options, so a lot of ppl do eat healthier, just because they can.

     i know that california is not the only state with the whole looks reason, but i think it has a big effect. thanks to hollywood, southern california has a lot of people into the super skinny thing.

     also, the anorexics and bulimics that you see every time you turn around do cancel out some of the overweights in the averages. :(
183. MA says:

     October 28, 2009 at 5:04 am

     Just came here to say that the level of prejudice, speculation and self-righteousness in this comment thread is through the roof. It’s almost as bad as when someone brings up welfare. And there are the oh so clever people who manage to weave welfare into the conversation on obesity, just to get that dual superiority kick. I’m glad you’ve got your fellow Americans all figured out, in a manner in which you fit in the educated/made good choices/correct echelon and them in the uneducated/make bad choices/incorrect one. How … convenient.
184. Morte says:

     November 8, 2009 at 12:17 pm

     The national push to fight obesity is nice and all, but with a failing economy, purchasing pricey health supplements or even fresh vegetables is a trial and tribulation in itself. For those of us fighting to hold onto our homes, what have we to live on other than microwaveable junk food?

     Make healthy things a bit more accessible for those less fortunate and you’ll see marked improvement, I’m sure.
185. Lorenz says:

     November 10, 2009 at 5:50 am

     Americans have to start eating better and eating less. I am European myself, but I socialise with many American ex-patriates. While most of them are not fat, they do have a different attitude to food. If there is an open buffet or a smorgasbord at a party, for example, they will serve up so much on their plate that it almost spills over. I wonder if they notice the looks of the other guests? In their defence, they seem to be very restrained when it comes to alcohol (in most cases), and they rarely smoke. But still, over-eating is such an unattractive vice, and its taking a toll on the health of Americans. I have spent some time on the East Coast and in California and I visited many fast food outlets. The sizes of the burgers/burritos/pizzas/fries/soft drinks make a European McDonalds seem like a WeightWatchers Club. It’s such a BIG (hehe)problem and it needs to be tackled head on.
186. TBoudreau says:

     November 10, 2009 at 7:01 pm

     this map it actually what i thought it would be.its sad that 300,000 people die from obesity and obesity related problems. Imma doin a report on it right now and its sad… I thinkk that USA should have everyone exercise and work out daily to balance the problems they have. I am from the USA so i just think we should get that happening. Also having all schools sell/ give students healthy food instead of jjust burgers or pizza. give out food like stroganoff, clam chowder, and other good helathhy food. Thats what my school does.
187. Boo-dro says:

     November 10, 2009 at 7:15 pm

     okay…. this one is to Sarah too.. I used to be chubby back in the day… but as i grew older i did somethin about it. I knnow alot of people who does somethin about it. And if i sit att the computer and do stuuf on it i can adn im athletic. SO u betta READ my other comment. And to Sam… im proud of u…. u dont care if they say shit. Also to whoever said about spellin errors and grammatical errors… Nooone cares when they are writing a comment. Ur just too stuck up or something. Also some of these people who leaves comment s is pretty cool. Also Jon thank you for da information. I am working on a project.

     If people wanna give me a comment cause imma neva go on this site again most likely. email me at tlwinter93@gmail.com.

     PEacE OuT

     and Sam i hope u learn a painful lesson.
188. Boo-dro says:

     November 10, 2009 at 7:19 pm

     WATCH SUPER SIZE ME. then take that challenge. if u still like mcdonalds a lot Or read fast food nation.

     for me, i like mcdonalds but it doesnot bother me about the movie xcept the way end and stuff., Its still good ffood
189. Matthew C says:

     November 12, 2009 at 4:53 pm

     It’s easy. Talk to fat people like you would a smoker. “Holly cow, you gonna eat that whole burger, all them fries and drink that 700 calorie drink, well at least it’s diet right, you should really think about that, you already smell cause you sweat so much, that crap is gonna lead you to arthritis, diabeties, all kinds of health problems” People will still do it…just like people smoke knowing it is bad for them. And Boo-dro, nobody cares but those errors make you sound like an idiot. Besides the public actually listening to politicians, who listens to idiots?
190. polyorchnid octopunch says:

     November 20, 2009 at 12:41 pm

     For the folks talking about how bad it would be for the state (er, guvamint, right?) to get involved in food… well, it already is, in a big way. Unhealthy food is cheap because it’s heavily subsidized by the US and various state governments. If the agri-business subsidies stopped, corn chips, cheetos, and corn-fed meat would suddenly become much more expensive.

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