Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on state obesity rankings, and every year, a number of Southern states top the list. This year, an analysis of the rankings by the Trust for America s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that the states where people live a healthier lifestyle, at least as in terms of eating fruits and vegetables and getting regular exercise, have the lowest obesity rates. And, as it turns out, the converse is also true.
Seven of the 10 states with the highest percentage of obese residents were in the bottom tier for fruit and vegetable consumption. In fact, Mississippi (34.9 percent), Louisiana (33.4 percent), and West Virginia (32.4 percent) topped the list for obesity and yes, their residents also had the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption. In West Virginia, for example, only 7.9 percent of residents consumed the recommended servings of fruits and veggies.
The same goes for exercise. States where people reported engaging in the most physical activity beyond their regular jobs included Colorado, Utah, and California, and these states also have the lowest obesity rankings. Colorado, for instance, holds the top spot for (relatively) slimmest state, with only 21 percent of its residents reported as obese.
Having an unhealthy lifestyle clearly increases the likelihood of being obese, says ACSH s Dr. Ruth Kava. This report suggests that substituting fruits and vegetables for other items in one s diet, combined with regular physical activity, could help prevent or combat obesity, she noted.
Of course it s simplistic to say that only fruits and veggies correlate with obesity rates, adds Dr. Ross. Increased fruit and vegetable consumption might also correlate with increased education, income, etc. Clearly, multiple factors are involved.
