Well, you know that they say everything is bigger in Texas. However, apparently, it is the truth as we are now one of the 15 fattest states in America. Of course, weight loss and the health consequences associated are a personal matter that an individual should only discuss with their doctor. However, it is undeniable that many researchers consider the United States to be in an obesity epidemic right now that extends way beyond a push for healthy foods.
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With fat steadily becoming the new normal for America, somehow we have forgotten to notice that this isn't natural. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than seven in 10 U.S. adults aged 20 and older are either overweight or obese. Thankfully, rates are lower in children and adolescents, but they are still climbing terrifyingly fast.
As waistlines continue to expand, so too do American's health-related expenses. This year alone Americans are expected to spend more than $68 billion to help themselves slim down. This number, however, pales in comparison to the $200 billion that our government is spending on health care costs related to obesity.
Needless to say, more aggressive measures must be taken in to keep this health crisis from ballooning out of control. According to experts, a good place to start would be increased physical activity since a lack thereof is a leading cause of obesity. According to the report, nearly 81.5 million Americans aged 6 and older were completely inactive in 2016.
Although this problem reaches from sea to shining sea, there are some states that are more profoundly affected than others with some of the highest obesity rates. To find out which of the 50 states had the most dangerous levels of obesity, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 19 key metrics.
What they found was shocking.
According to WalletHub, the fattest states, or the most obese states, in America are as follows (in order from fattest to not as fat):
1. Mississippi
2. West Virginia
3. Tennessee
4. Arkansas
5. Louisiana
6. Kentucky
7. Alabama
8. Oklahoma
9. South Carolina
10. Indiana
11. Texas
12. Iowa
13. Ohio
14. Delaware
15. Kansas
Ramifications
Although it isn't surprising that some of these states make the list, the health ramifications for those taking one of these top spots are shocking. Besides costing upwards of $210 billion per year, obesity is a chronic condition that is usually accompanied by other co-morbidities in obesity-related health care, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
In adults, this can result in a decreased ability to do jobs or chase after children. For overweight and obese children, school absences increase, and if those children need to be taken to the doctor or stay home for a day, then that means parents miss a day of work.
All these seemingly minor inconveniences mean that productivity suffers and leads to complications in the work environment and subsequently in your home life.
So what does that mean for foodies? In essence, loving Texas brisket is one thing, but indulging in it regularly with a slice of pie afterward will lead to a lot more than just a full stomach.
Methodology
The study determined the fattest states by using 19 relevant metrics and were graded on a 100-point scale. A score of 100 represented the fattest state.
