50 States From the Fattest to the Skinniest — and Where Colorado Weighs In | Westword
Navigation
Support Us
Search

50 States From the Fattest to the Skinniest — and Where Colorado Weighs In

The title of WalletHub's latest analysis — "2015's Fattest States in America" — makes it clear that the site sees obesity in the U.S. as a major problem. But it's a bigger issue for some places than others. Colorado, for instance, lands on the thinner end of the spectrum —...
November 19, 2015
Share this:

The title of WalletHub's latest analysis — "2015's Fattest States in America" — makes it clear that the site sees obesity in the U.S. as a major problem.

But it's a bigger issue for some places than others. Colorado, for instance, lands on the thinner end of the spectrum — as usual.

Below, see the photo-illustrated WalletHub countdown for all fifty states and the District of Columbia, featuring data from the site.

That's followed by information specific to Colorado, with rankings for adults and children who are either overweight or obese, plus the state's performance when it comes to diet, exercise, cholesterol and diabetes.

And for details about methodology and much more information, click here to visit the original item.

1. Mississippi
Overall score: 51.73
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 1
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 3

2. Louisiana
Overall score: 51.33
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 2
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 2

3. West Virginia
Overall score: 50.11
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 6
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 1

4. Tennessee
Overall score: 48.93
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 5
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 6

5. South Carolina
Overall score: 48.46
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 3
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 15

6. Arkansas
Overall score: 48.43
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 4
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 13

7. Kentucky
Overall score: 48.37
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 6
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 8

8. Alabama
Overall score: 46.90
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 8
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 19

9. Oklahoma
Overall score: 46.57
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 10
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 17

10. North Dakota
Overall score: 46.39
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 11
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 14

11. Texas
Overall score: 46.18
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 9
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 26

12. Indiana
Overall score: 45.77
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 16
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 9

13. Delaware
Overall score: 45.43
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 17
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 10

14. Georgia
Overall score: 45.10
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 12
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 23

15. North Carolina
Overall score:  19 11
 ‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 19
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 11

16. Arizona
Overall score: 44.75
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 14
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 20

17. Kansas
Overall score: 44.70
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 22
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 7

18. New Mexico
Overall score: 44.63
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 29
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 5

19. Ohio
Overall score: 44.18
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 18
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 25

20. Michigan
Overall score: 44.14
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 15
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 28

21. District of Columbia
Overall score: 43.95
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 35
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 4

22. Iowa
Overall score: 43.79
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 21
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 21

23. Illinois
Overall score: 43.61
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 13
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 43

24. Maine
Overall score: 42.62
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 30
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 24

25. Nevada
Overall score: 42.50
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 20
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 45


26. Missouri
Overall score: 42.42
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 26
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 29

27. Nebraska
Overall score: 42.26
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 26
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 30

28. Wisconsin
Overall score: 42.21
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 24
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 33

29. Alaska
Overall score: 42.17
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 25
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 34

30. Pennsylvania
Overall score: 41.75
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 32
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 31

31. New Hampshire
Overall score: 41.67
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 39
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 16

32. Maryland
Overall score: 41.66
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 23
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 46

33. South Dakota
Overall score: 41.41
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 28
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 41

34. Virginia
Overall score: 40.91
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 31
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 42

35. New York
Overall score: 40.74
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 33
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 40

36. Idaho
Overall score: 40.61
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 36
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 38

37.  Florida
Overall score: 40.44
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 38
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 32

38. Wyoming
Overall score: 40.30
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 41
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 35

39. California
Overall score: 40.16
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 40
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 39

40. Rhode Island
Overall score: 39.99
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 34
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 47

41. Washington
Overall score: 39.94
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 45
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 27

42. Minnesota
Overall score: 39.72
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 43
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 37

43. Oregon
Overall score: 39.71
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 47
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 18

44. Vermont
Overall score: 39.44
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 48
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 22

45. Connecticut
Overall score: 39.33
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 37
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 51

46. Montana
Overall score: 38.91
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 42
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 49

47. Utah
Overall score: 38.72
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 49
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 12

48. Massachusetts
Overall score: 38.30
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 44
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 48

49. New Jersey
Overall score: 38.15
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 46
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 44

50. Colorado
Overall score: 35.93
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 51
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 36

51. Hawaii
Overall score: 35.80
‘Obesity & Overweight Prevalence’ Rank (highest =1): 50
‘Unhealthy Habits & Consequences’ Rank (highest =1): 50

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

32nd — % of Adults Who Are Overweight
51st — % of Adults Who Are Obese
49th — % of Children Who Are Overweight
47th — % of Children Who Are Obese
51st — % of Residents Who Are Physically Inactive
45th — % of Residents with High Cholesterol
44th — % of Adults Eating Less than 1 Serving of Fruits/Vegetables per Day
50th — % of Residents with Diabetes
39th — % of Residents with Hypertension

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.
Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.
Contact: Michael Roberts
Denver Deadhead Entrepreneur Jay Bianchi Arrested on Sexual-Assault Charges

Bars

Denver Deadhead Entrepreneur Jay Bianchi Arrested on Sexual-Assault Charges

By Catie Cheshire
Nuggets Fans Celebrate Lakers' Daddy Issues After Game One Win

Opinion

Nuggets Fans Celebrate Lakers' Daddy Issues After Game One Win

By Michael Roberts
Westword Walk-Along With DPD Quickly Leads to Arrest for Felony Menacing, Drug Distribution

Crime

Westword Walk-Along With DPD Quickly Leads to Arrest for Felony Menacing, Drug Distribution

By Chris Perez
Abortion Ban Fails to Qualify for Ballot: "Colorado Is Not a Place Where You Can Mess With Our Reproductive Freedom"

Election

Abortion Ban Fails to Qualify for Ballot: "Colorado Is Not a Place Where You Can Mess With Our Reproductive Freedom"

By Hannah Metzger
Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy Westword may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Denver Westword, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation