How Fat is Connecticut? A New Study Has Some Good News For Us

By BRIAN MCCREADY (Patch Staff)

With traditionally hearty-eating holidays approaching, November being National Diabetes Awareness Month and more than two-thirds of American adults being either obese or overweight, the personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Fattest States in America.

A new report states that three-quarters of American adults are overweight or obese. For the first time ever, the number of obese people has surpassed those considered overweight, according to WalletHub.

In 2014, there were 83 million Americans considered inactive — the highest such rate since 2007.

To find where weight issues are most prevalent and to encourage Americans to re-evaluate their lifestyles, WalletHub analysts compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics. Their data set ranges from the percentage of adults and children who are overweight and obese to the sugary-beverage consumption among adolescents.

The state’s with the biggest weight problems are: 1. Mississippi, 2. Louisiana, 3. West Virginia, 4. Tennessee and 5. South Carolina.

States with the least weight problems are: 1. Hawaii, 2. Colorado, 3. New Jersey, 4. Utah and 5. Montana.

How did Connecticut rank?

Connecticut is the state with the 7th smallest weight problem in the nation.

Detailed data for Connecticut is listed below, but the state’s adults are overall in pretty good shape compared to the rest of the country and Connecticut residents fare well with eating some fruits and vegetables.

The Weight Problem in Connecticut (1=Worst; 25=Avg.)

• 43rd – % of Adults Who Are Obese
• 35th – % of Children Who Are Overweight
• 23rd – % of Children Who Are Obese
• 31st – % of Residents Who Are Physically Inactive
• 39th – % of Residents with High Cholesterol
• 42nd – % of Adults Eating Less than 1 Serving of Fruits/Vegetables per Day
• 35th – % of Residents with Diabetes
• 36th – % of Residents with Hypertension
• 47th – Death Rate Due to Obesity

For the full report, click here.

Photo credit: mrd00dman via Flickr Creative Commons