Despite publicity of the obesity epidemic, obesity rates continue to climb in most states. (iStock)
Loosen the belt buckle another notch: Obesity rates continued to climb in 31 states last year, and no state showed a decline.
Mississippi became the first state to crack the 30 percent barrier for adults considered to be obese. West Virginia and Alabama were just behind, according to the Trust for America's Health, a research group that focuses on disease prevention.
Colorado continued its reign as the leanest state in the nation with an obesity rate projected at 17.6 percent.
This year's report, for the first time, looked at rates of overweight children ages 10 to 17. The District of Columbia had the highest percentage 22.8 percent. Utah had the lowest 8.5 percent.
Health officials say the latest state rankings provide evidence that the nation has a public health crisis on its hands.
Unfortunately, we're treating it like a mere inconvenience instead of the emergency that it is," said Dr. James Marks, senior vice president at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a philanthropy devoted to improving health care.
Officials at the Trust for America's Health want the government to play a larger role in preventing obesity. People who are overweight are at an increased risk for diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases that contribute to greater health care costs.
"It's one of those issues where everyone believes this is an epidemic, but it's not getting the level of political and policymaker attention that it ought to," said Jeffrey Levi, the organization's executive director. "As every candidate for president talks about health care reform and controlling health care cost costs, if we don't home in on this issue, none of their proposals are going to be affordable."
At the same time, many believe weight is a personal choice and responsibility. Levi doesn't dispute that notion, but he said society can help people make good choices.
"If we want kids to eat healthier food, we have to invest the money for school nutrition programs so that school lunches are healthier," he said. "If we want people to be more physically active, then there have to be safe places to be active. That's not just a class issue. We've designed suburban communities where there are no sidewalks for anybody to go out and take a walk."
Selon le groupe de recherche Trust for America's Health (TFAH), le taux d'obésité continue à croître dans 31 états des États-Unis d'Amérique. Pas un seul état n'a montré de baisse de ce taux dans le dernier rapport publié lundi.

Les chiffres présentés par le rapport TFAH  proviennent des études du Système de surveillance de la nutrition pédiatrique (PedNSS) et du Système de surveillance des facteurs de risques comportementaux (BRFSS) des Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Le Mississippi devient le premier état à avoir plus de 30 % de sa population considérée comme obèse. La Virginie-Occidentale et l'Alabama, cependant, sont très proches de cette barre symbolique. Dans le même temps, le Colorado conserve son titre de l'état le plus mince des États-Unis avec moins de 18 % de sa population considérée comme obèse.

Le rapport indique aussi les taux d'obésité infantile pour la première fois. Le District de Columbia est le plus touché avec un taux de 22,8 % alors que l'Utah est le moins touché avec un taux de 8,5 %.

Le directeur du TFAH, Jeffrey Levi, a déclaré que le Gouvernement devrait plus s'impliquer dans la prévention de l'obésité : .

Cependant, Jeffrey Levi a convenu que de nombreuses personnes croient que l'obésité résulte d'une décision personnelle et non d'une politique publique, mais a indiqué que le monde moderne pouvait aider à promouvoir les bons choix.