Iowa is the Number Twelve Ranked Fattest State in the United States

Iowa has been ranking high for some of its better characteristics lately.

But most Iowans are probably not proud of this one: 12th fattest state in the nation.

Forrest Saunders with KCRG reports that Iowa was placed in the top 15 in a study by Trust for America's Health. Linn County, unfortunately, did it's share to add to the total.

Iowa Ranked 12th Fattest in Nation (KCRG)

A new report by the Trust for America's Health says 30.4% of Iowa adults are obese, making the state the 12th fattest in the nation. It falls between the fattest state, Louisiana (34.7%) and most slim, Colorado (20.5%).

According to the study, Iowa is one of 13 states that have adult obesity rates above 30%. That’s a big jump from 1980, when no state's rate was higher than 15%. 

"It's definitely disappointing," said Amanda Smith, a St. Luke's Health Education Specialist. 

Smith said 60% to 70% of Linn County residents are considered overweight or obese, meaning only around 30% have a Body Mass Index in the “normal” range. 

What are the commonalities between the states with the highest rates of obesity? There may be a clue in the article below.

The Good and Bad News About Obesity: It’s No Longer Rising, but It’s More Dangerous Than Ever | Time Magazine

In the latest “F as in Fat” report, released annually by Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, only one state, Arkansas, showed an increase in obesity rates while other states managed to keep their rates stable compared with the previous year. All of the 20 states with the highest obesity levels are located in the South or Midwest, with the exception of Pennsylvania. And for the first time in eight years, Mississippi is no longer the state with the highest adult obesity rate — Louisiana now holds that position with 34.7% of adults weighing in with a body mass index (BMI) above 30.