A new report “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010” just released shows a deeply downwardly spiraling national catastrophe on the horizon. Obesity rates increased in 28 states in just this past year. The number one obese state, where 33.8% of Adults Are Obese, is Mississippi which also happens be the state with the least consumption of fruits and vegetables per person. Can you say cause and effect?

We have our work cut out for us because the South is where the epidemic is hardest hitting:

• 10 of the 11 states with the highest rates of obesity are in the South.
• 10 of the 11 states with the highest rates of diabetes are in the South
• The 10 states with the highest rates of hypertension are also in the South

Some of the many statistics:

• 38 states have adult obesity rates above 25%.
  (No state had an obesity rate above 20% in 1991.)
• 12% of high school students are obese and 15.8% are overweight.

Sadly lack of education, poverty, minority ethnicity and obesity appear to hang out together!

There are some good articles to be read online and you can also download the 122 page report. 

Click to see WebMD article "Obesity Rate Swells in 28 States"

Click to Download the actual Report from HealthyAmericans.org

Click to watch a short news story on YouTube. Watching the kids eating is heart-breaking!