It’s a heavy truth to bear.
US News has weighed in on America’s ever-expanding waistline, ranking the country’s most obese states — and the results may leave you reconsidering that greasy burrito.
Topping the list is West Virginia, where nearly 41% of adults are classified as obese, giving the Mountain State a not-so-slim lead over its neighbors.
Next are Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee — where the obesity rate is as high as 37.8%.
Meanwhile, Colorado — famous for its craft breweries but also for its plethora of outdoor activities — took the lead in states with the lowest obesity rate, coming in at 24.6%.
Following the Centennial State are Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Florida and Montana.
The findings indicate that — even in the least obese state — more than two out of 10 residents are considered obese, lending credence to the belief that America is fatter than ever.
Prior to 2013, no state in the US had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Clearly, much has changed.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher — and it is associated with an increased risk of sleep apnea, infertility, depression, heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
The World Health Organization officially declared obesity a global epidemic in 1997, noting that rates had nearly tripled since 1975 — which is when experts believe the epidemic began.
What has remained a hotly debated mystery is why the epidemic rages on, with many pointing the finger at lifestyle factors such as increases in ultra-processed foods and sedentary behavior.
The good news is that while technology may be making us fatter, TikTok nutrition hacks and trendy weight loss drugs offer novel ways to win the battle of the bulge.
