An analysis of obesity levels throughout the country shows that Connecticut is in good shape – at least compared to the rest of the country. The state ranks 42nd in the nation with its 24.5 percent obesity rate.
Colorado has the lowest obesity levels at 20.7 percent, while Mississippi has the highest at 34.9 percent.
The analysis by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation used information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to rank the states. Out of the 30 most obese states, 26 were in the South or Midwest.
“Obesity has contributed to a stunning rise in chronic disease rates and health care costs. It is one of the biggest health crises the country has ever faced,” said Jeffrey Levi, Ph. D., executive director of the Trust for America’s Health, in a statement.
According to the CDC, a person with a body mass index of 30 or more is considered obese.
In somewhat related health news in the bottom quarter of states for home health care quality earlier this year.