Staff Writer
The South has done it again: For the third straight year, Mississippi leads the rest of the country in obesity rates, according to a recently reported telephone survey taken last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Not to be outdone, several of the other southern states rise to the top of the list of America's fattest cities. Mississippi sits atop the report, but is closely followed by its country-fried counterparts -- Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia and Louisiana.
The CDC found all of these states weighing in with more than 30 percent of respondents reporting obese body dimensions. However, the researchers believe this is a conservative estimate since most men overstate their height and most women underestimate their weight -- which are the two factors used to calculate obesity.
A study where the CDC actually measured the height and weight of participants found the obesity rate to be 34 percent nationally in 2006. While this number is high, it has leveled off over the past few years showing no significant increase, according to reports from the CDC, which is at least a little good news.
Colorado was the skinniest state again, with an obesity rate at about 19 percent -- although this number is up about two percent since 2005. It's a scary trend to see obesity becoming the norm in the land of the free and home of the brave.
As Americans become heavier, they face greater risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. So, we as a nation must heed these warnings about our increasing waistlines that lead to a slippery slope of health problems that could drastically shorten American life expectancy.
Why do you think the south consistently ranks as the heaviest region in the country? How can we stop this trend? Post a comment and let us know what you think.
And, if you're ready to make a change yourself, take the first step in becoming healthier by filling out our Free Diet Profile. You'll learn your best eating plan, ideal fitness and more -- all in about 2 minutes.
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Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 8:52:00 AM - 
said...
It is because they cook everything in oil, grease and lard and if it is not fried then grease is added..whole milk, creams,etc...
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:00:00 AM - said...
As a Southernor who has to battle weight, I feel that in many ways it is a cultural issue. Much of the South was originally Agricultural. As such, Men took pride in providing food for their families and women showed their prowess and care for their families through the food they cooked. Because of this, the ideal was large meals of delicious, often rich, and sugary food. This has passed down through the generations. Lets face it, there's a reason biscuits and cornbread come with everything at Cracker Barrel. Additionally, I can't think of a single family, church, or community function that doesn't include a meal. Celebrations in the South always includes food. Food is often seen as a way to show love, affection, and belonging. Don't get me wrong. I love Southern Food and its traditions. But we Southernors must learn that sometimes, less is more.
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 9:57:00 AM - said...
I lived in three of the southern states while in the military, it's a known fact that the meats are deep fried. that is a tradition, unfortunately, this is causing the rise on obesity.
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 10:00:00 AM - said...
that's what happens when all you eat is fried chicken
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:29:00 PM - said...
Sure southerners may not eat ALL FRIED CHICKEN, but the starches, and cook everthing fried, instead of baking, grilling, broiling, can make a differece! Im from the midwest, and love fried chicken myself, thats what my family had at family gatherings, it is hard to resist. But yoyu have to make a choice on either your health or your taste for GOOD FOOD! And baked chicken, even the grill is great! Even pork chops are good baked! Add some seasoning and peppers and onion, it is good! Watch you intake also of starches! Sweets, and so on!
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:42:00 PM - said...
yeah, you forgot the fried potatoes, fish, bread..
Comment: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:48:00 PM - said...
Well, coming from the upper midwest (about a stones throw from Canada)and I married a Southern gal, I can say the food is awesome, I don’t know how she stays so small, but I gained about 30 pounds, of which, through diet and exercise I lost again. However, I still find a way to fit the fried lettuce and onions, biscuits and gravy, fried breakfast pork chops, and fried cherry pies into my diet =)
With everything, it is moderation that counts, don't avoid the stuff you love, otherwise you'll find yourself over eating it when you finally give in to that tasty thing. When her mother comes to visit though, you'd swear the Army was coming for supper, mounding piles of food on every serving plate on the table, not only can I feel the love, I see it, smell it, AND EAT it.... then diet for the next 2 weeks lol.
Comment: Thursday, July 24, 2008 1:19:00 AM - said...
I want to move to the skinniest city in the US. according to the article Colorado City is the thinnest. Where is this at?
Comment: Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:23:00 AM - 
crissy27blue said...
I disagree with the person who battles the weight problems and is from the south.I too am from the SOUTH,from Texas yet I do not make excuses.Do you want to know the reasons why we are so obese?Because of the cheapness of the fastfood places,the big portions,the much fat,caloric intake,lack of education about nutrition to both kids and adults to make better choices.In the south yes you can make wiser choices:you can make the recipe of fried chicken broiled or changed so you make it healthy,you can walk on trails,you can eat healthier and you can take care of yourself if you choose to.Do not tell me that because you eat fried chicken you are 300lbs,on medication,have problems and all these things because it also has to do with your lifestyle.In the South we use a car to go from place to place since some of them are so close to each other,others hundreds of miles apart and we have no sidewalks.In the northerns states you can run,walk,etc in the parks and get your exercise and that is why people are healthier and fitter there.
Comment: Saturday, July 26, 2008 2:38:00 PM - said...
Well i live in the South and it is very easy to say that one of the top reasons many people are obese in the south is because everything is fried. fried corn, vegatables cooked in bacon grease, fried twinkies, fried everything. Another reason is that wherever you go there is food. I also have found that there is always a lot of fellowship, and where there is fellowship there is food :).
Comment: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:15:00 PM - said...
i live in alabama and i used to live in mississippi. there are MANYYY obese people here and there. and besides food- which is a part of it- technology isnt helping either. the southern states love eating food, but they were never used to alot of technology. they were used to farming all day, then eating all night. farming made them work out alot. but then tv's came into the picture and everyone liked watching tv and eating more than excersizing. then computers came. that made everyone addicted to computers. really i think, my personal opinion, that we need to stop making new inventions to make us lazier. the schools here are cutting the schools gym time down and thats not helping either. i personally believe its other peoples faults. but we dont fry twinkies.. that was just an ignorant remark. alot of people i know DONT EVEN LIKE TWINKIES. they are repulsive. and most people dont even know what fried corn is. but corn nuggets are great. and plus. there are mcdonalds, burger kings, sonics, a&w's, checkers, chick fil a's, and other fast food restaurants EVERYWHERE here. if you drive on the interstate about every exit you'll see a sign for a wendys, mcdonalds, or one of the other fast food places.
Comment: Friday, August 01, 2008 10:25:00 PM - said...
Lived in Louisiana for 9 years. Too many cream sauces, gravy, fried foods, rich desserts, lots of butter, biscuits. And, it's HOT and HUMID there so there isn't much opportunity to go outside and do anything strenuous to work off those calories. I did love living there though and adored the people.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 2:41:00 AM - said...
Colorado Spring, Colorado is the thinnest state.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:17:00 AM - 
The Brocks said...
I've seen obese people all over the country. I'm originally from South Carolina and now live in Colorado. Obesity is either by choice or genetic. Colorado is a great state if you're in to outdoor athletics, which is why they hold the title of being thin...but there are certainly weight problems here too. I gained my love of veggies and fruit from growing up in a state that has plenty of them. You can't blame the region...it's all in the attitude toward food. I'm healthy and I've spent a lifetime in the South. I just know that if I have fried chicken (which I RARELY eat) for lunch, I'm having a salad for dinner. Please don't stereotype.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:28:00 AM - said...
I really feel sorry for you Southerners. I would hate to HAVE TO stop at all those fast food restaurants they have on every corner. Come on folks....is someone literally clutching your hand and dragging you into these places and shoving the food down your throat?!! Are you not your own person? Don't blame the fast food joints (they are junk and we all know it) but I really think that will power is stronger than fast food. We (northerners) have as many fast food joints here.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:33:00 AM - Mommy of 2 said...
Interesting article. I know we can blame alot of things that can make Southerner's "fat." Culture is a big part of it. I mean, Soul Food is what makes the South, regardless of race. Another part is the lack of education to the masses about the ills of heart disease, among family members and friends (no peer pressure to change old habits). Another issue is the medical care in the rural South, lack of doctors, nurses, etc. Another part is the fact that cities, rural areas don't have the resources to invest in parks and recreation. Like one of the readers said that the South is so hot in the Summer, who wants to go take a jog anyway?
Being from Alabama, I am pretty sure these are the main reasons why. Unless people change their habits, be proactive about their health, and get good doctors down there, nothing is going to change. Southerners can be so stubborn sometimes.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:45:00 AM - smalltownmom said...
I live in Mississippi and have lost nearly 100 lbs in the past 15 months. Currently weigh about 145 and am 5'3". Biggest annoyance in my life is well-meaning friends and relatives who insist that I am too skinny!!
Obesity is a way of life in the deep South. Everywhere you look, there are fat people (and I used to be one of them). This has always been true but it is getting worse. Kids, in particular, are getting fatter.
Mississippi needs to devote same resources to fighting obesity that they have spent in anti-smoking campaign. Unfortunately, unlike tobacco companies, we can't bring class action suit against all those sweet, little old ladies who cook up fried chicken and homemade desserts.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:48:00 AM - said...
I am originally from Chicago. I've lived in Mississsippi, Louisiana, Delaware and now Georgia. One of the fundamental differences I've identified about living in the south is that in southern states the infrastructure is not condusive to managing your weight through normal everday activities, i.e. walking to the store (there are no/limited sidewalks); riding public transportation to work (transportation systems are minimum or non-existing); access to convienient workout facilities(there were no YMCAs or LA Fitness Centers where my grandparents lived in MS), especially in rural areas. In addition, Mississippi is also the poorest state and many persons that live there have to survive, buy and use what they can afford based on the knowledge they have. Equal access, opportunity and education is the key. It is very difficult (some easier then others)to get people to change the way they have functioned for years by just telling them they should or need to, without providing the support and infrastructure that would help them accomplish the change. However, I do believe that it can be done - over time!!!!!
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:07:00 AM - carolyn said...
Not just in the south, but nationwide the food industry trains our taste buds from infancy. Read the baby food labels: sugar, modified food starch, etc. Then look at school cafeterias and contracts with Coca-Cola and McDonald's. One of the first things foreign visitors to the US notice is how many fat people there are. Time vote for healthier choices with our wallets at the stores and eateries, and demand better choices for our kids.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 11:30:00 AM - said...
I grew up in the north and yes, the diet is very different. We had oatmeal for breakfast, meat, potatoes, and a vegetable for dinner. Many meals were at home as well! The one MacDonald's was over 5 miles away! The grocery store, 2 blocks away.
After reading the posted comments it was amazing, many who wrote were correct in their assumptions! There is not one factor, but many to consider.
Diet, technology, public access, and most of all, income.
Diet, as I ststed we ate healthier foods up north, down here, Heaven on earth is home made creamed corn, fried okra, fried green beans, and of course, fried green tomatoes!
Technology, video games are the worse forms of physical laziness there is! Heck give us a stick, and with a thing called imagination, we made it whatever we wanted it to be!
Public acess, busses, sidewalks, good safe roads, are very rare in the south. Saftey on these roads are important and saftey on the streets is questionable with the southern law enforcement we unfortunately have here.
Income, retirees make up much of the population in the south, and along with the poor working conditions comes the poor pay.
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 12:12:00 PM - said...
It's because of country music. I'm from NJ and I went to a country music concert in PA. I never saw so many heavy people in my life! Country music must make people put on pounds.
I'm kidding, of course, but seriously, why was everyone there so VERY heavy?
Comment: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 1:23:00 PM - said...
In the south, if it's fried - it's edible. You can give these folk fried shoe leather and they'd ask for second helpings. We all know that fried foods (when done right) taste good but we also know that they're so bad for you. There are lots of other choices we can make that taste wonderful and are good for the mind and body. So don't just stuff your face - think long term. Think vibrant good health!!!
Comment: Thursday, August 21, 2008 5:07:00 PM - said...
I live in rural Southern Georgia, and here is the actual lunch menu for our school system next week: All foods are pre-dished up in GIGANTIC portions on their trays. I know plenty of adults who eat with their children almost daily (adults get double portions) as you can't find a "better" meal anywhere for $2 (and about 2500 calories). Mon: chicken wings, (and, not or) macaroni and cheese, broccoli, fruit, Texas toast. Tues: corn dog, French fries, apples, popsicle. Wed: lasagna, salad (with lots of Ranch dressing), fruit, bread stick, Jello. Thurs: bologna sandwich, cheese WEDGE, veggies w/ Ranch, oranges, chips. Fri: pizza, salad w/ Ranch, fruit, pudding. Any more questions? Oh, and they have a fifteen minute recess once a day and PE twice a week for thirty minutes. Yes, my children normally brown bag it and work out and do sports six days a week.
Comment: Thursday, August 21, 2008 5:12:00 PM - said...
Okay, the obesity is astounding in the South, but other parts of the country are not spared, either. I grew up in Canada, but have lived in the South for the last ten years. A couple of summers ago, we went to Michigan for a large family reunion. My children and I had never met most of my husband's extended family. Quoting my five-year-old, "Is everyone in Michigan fat or just Daddy's family?"
Comment: Thursday, August 21, 2008 5:30:00 PM - said...
I'm another transplanted Midwesterner (my family moved to Florida from Wisconsin when I was 5.) My two stepsisters now live in Mississippi. Haven't seen one for over 18 years, but the one I have seen is now squeezing herself into a size 16--before she left home, she was a size 6/8. After eating my way up to 285, I lost 130 pounds. Which of course meant relearning eating habits--no more deep fried foods! I know Southerners will deep fry just about ANYTHING (candy bars, pickles, turkey); but I'm wondering how (or WHY) you'd deep fry LETTUCE?!
Comment: Thursday, August 21, 2008 6:12:00 PM - said...
Poverty that's what I think. I bet unemployment is very high. If people have very little money they will eat anything. When this country was settled we ate every part of a cow, pig or bird and were thankful we had it. Yes, a lot of it was bad for our bodies but starving to death would have been worse.
My question to you is this" How does the poverty numbers compare to other states. What state has the biggest poverty level?
Comment: Monday, August 25, 2008 9:24:00 AM - rosemary said...
I live in the South. People here deep fry everything, even pickles! I have made many changes in my diet over the past 2 years and dropped 70 pounds. Social gatherings center around food. We need a different mindset here that shows us food is not everything. There are many activities to be enjoyed besides eating.
Comment: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 11:42:00 AM - said...
I have lived in 3 southern states and 2 northeastern states. It is true that the most of the south was originally agricultural and that men took pride in providing for their families and they still do. Unfortunately, the men and the women are no longer doing the type of labor or basic chores from years past---washing clothes and hanging them outside on the clothes line(use of calories), washing dishes instead of using a diswasher(calories), waxing floors instead of polyurethane floors, canning foods instead of opening a can from the grocery store, buying fast food instead of cooking at home, digging,farming, walking or bike riding instead of everyone having a car no matter how old it is,etc. This change has happened all over world not just in the south, but southerners are still eating the same type of food and the same amount of food. If someone,even young children are not aware of proper nutrition it is because they are not listening or don't want to listen. It is taught in all of the schools and it is constantly on the TV in programs or commercials,in articles in the newspapers, and programs for various organizations. You have to want to be healthy in order to be healthy. You have to say no to large quantities of fried foods on a daily basis because of the excessive caloric intake that is unnecessary for survival. No it is not easy or fun, but it can be done.The excessive calories are turning into fat because of the differece in how people labor today. At some point, people must take responsibliby for their own lives and their own health--maybe parental and personal responsibility is where the focus needs to be.
Comment: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:58:00 AM - said...
Personally I'm a person who does not judge people what ever happened to you don't judge a book by it's cover? Now with that said I think people all over the world not just down south are having health problems and weight problems because of many reasons, computers and t.v. all the time video games 24/7 back in the 1800's people usto eat about 3thouosand calories a day expecially people who worked in the mills but they were working on their feet moving around for 12,14, even 16 hours a day and burned off all their fat, now a days we eat less or the same calories and we gain weight or have health problems cause we don't get enough movement, come home from work or school and t.v and computers. Nobody walks anymore or rides bikes or plays base ball, when I was a kid I lived for baseball games and BBQ's in the summer I would only stop to go to the bahtroom or eat that was it I and many people usto always be outside, It's also your own right to eat as you please some people have such a love and comfort from food and its almost like a drug to some people that could be do to all the sugars and crap they put in all the foods now a days. I'm just tired of hearing about fat people their are many people many different shapes and sizes their always has been why is it such a big issue on how people look if your healthy then isn't it your choice on how your body looks it's your body but if your unhealthy then yes I would understand getting healthy, if their were nicer people in this world and treated people who have weight problems more kinder and more positive then I could see more prople wanting to be more active and healthy. So I think yes we need to spend way more time outdoors too much t.v, but I also bealive that this counrty is way too harsh on looking perfect and if your not a model your to big. So it's not just down south it's just all over the world, another thing is poor people like myself I'm not rich,I have to buy junk food sometimes cause if I want to buy all healthy food I spend about 100 dollars more that I don't have then if I just bought cheap junky food then I can afford it, If all those healthy people want more people to eat healthyer foods then lower the prices on fuirts and vegys for people who can not afford it and stop making so many video games so kids can play outdoors again, ya know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or lay off the computer games what ever happened to board games??????????????
Comment: Thursday, September 04, 2008 9:32:00 AM - said...
Many parts of the South are economically depressed. It is cheaper to stock up on boxes of mac & cheese, chips and Little Debbies than to pay for lean meats and fresh produce. Also there is not as much cultural diversity in the South so people are not exposed to healthier options such as Asian, Middle Eastern and European foods and preparations. And let's face it,..when the way of life is slower, metabolism follows suit.
Comment: Thursday, September 04, 2008 4:05:00 PM - curtnay said...
I don't think this is fair I personally have a medical condition and medications that make and keep me heavy why should I pay a price when it is out of my control?
Comment: Thursday, September 04, 2008 6:00:00 PM - said...
I grew up in Tennessee and have been living in the mid-Atlantic for most of my adulthood. I agree with the posters who said poverty, limited opportunities to exercise, and isolation were issues.
Poverty leads to filling up on a lot of cheap carbs, and I think the carbs are more of a problem than the fatty foods (although fried foods and "killed" greens don't help). Remember the scene in "To Kill a Mockingbird" when the little girl is disgusted by a poor child pouring karo syrup all over everything? I saw a lot of that as a kid. And families serving their kids cola at breakfast because it was cheaper than milk.
And in some parts of the South there is a soul food tradition but in other places there are many people who just don't cook -- or think they do, but really all they do is heat up things that come from boxes and cans.
Comment: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:24:00 AM - said...
I live in Florida.I have a VERY limited income.When I have to chose a .50 cent box of mac and cheese(enough for a whole lunch) instead of something thats healthier but way out of budget it really hurts.You know you should buy the healthier thing for your family ,but you just can't.By the way my family doesn't ever eat at Mcdonalds etc. we can't afford it.
Comment: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 11:14:00 AM - said...
While its a good idea to cut out as much fat, etc. - you steal need some fats in your diet - for digestion purposes, skin, etc. and also Just because someone doesn't weight 98 lbs. soaking wet, doesnt' mean they are overweight or unhealthy, plus once in a while eating "unhealthy" stuff is not bad for you.
Comment: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 2:47:00 PM - said...
I am from Mississippi and am really start to cook healthy for me and my family. I know that I need to lose a few lbs., and if all of us kick out the fried foods and delicious desserts and take a nice walk in the evening, I think we will get out of first place.
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