Georgia 20th most obese state

Blame it on the sweet tea?
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Elsie esq.

We need to exercise more. A new report says 29.1 percent of Georgians are obese, making the Peach State the 20th most obese state in the country. Based on data released in July 2013, the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that Louisiana is the most obese state (34.7 percent) and Colorado is the least (20.5 percent).

Georgia’s rate increased slightly from 28 percent the year before. Some other highlights:

  • Thirteen states currently have an adult obesity rate above 30 percent, 41 states have rates of at least 25 percent, and every state has a rate above 20 percent.
    Of the states with the 20 highest adult obesity rates, only Pennsylvania is not in the South or Midwest.

  • For the first time in eight years, Mississippi no longer has the highest rate. At 34.7 percent, Louisiana is at the top, followed closely by Mississippi at 34.6 percent.

  • Obesity rates vary by education. More than 35 percent of adults (ages 26 and older) who did not graduate from high school are obese, compared with 21.3 percent of those who graduated from college.

  • Obesity rates vary by income. More than 31 percent of adults (18 and older) who earn less than $25,000 per year were obese, compared with 25.4 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 annually.

  • Nine of the 10 states with the highest rates of type 2 diabetes and hypertension are in the South.

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