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12 states now have high obesity; Arkansas No. 7

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Updated: 8/13/2012 11:43 am

Published: 8/13/2012 11:43 am

ATLANTA (AP) — A new government survey shows 12 states now have very high obesity rates.

Overall, more than a third of adults are obese but rates vary by state. The latest figures are based on a 2011 telephone survey that asked adults their height and weight. For the first time, households with only cell phones were included.

State rates remained about the same although states with very high rates went from nine to 12. At least 30 percent of adults are obese in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.

Colorado was lowest, at just under 21 percent, and Mississippi was highest at nearly 36 percent.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the figures Monday.

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Online:

CDC state obesity data: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Associated Press

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ArkansasYankee - 8/13/2012 2:47 PM

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Nice to meet you sgels; what part of AZ? I lived there for about 10 years; some of it at Huachuca, Sierra Vista, but mostly Tucson. golfdude; you are right; fresh food daily, walking or biking to work; I think a lot of Europeans are like that. And they ain't turning into a country of lard butts like we are.

wpsark - 8/13/2012 2:46 PM

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sgels, I know several great restaurants that offer healthy choices. don't know where you're going..But if I want to eat healthy, I dine at home. Fried food here is traditional, welcome to the south...

Layla37 - 8/13/2012 2:46 PM

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@golfdude2..you're so correct. We Americans are a lazy society and have been taught that. Its not to offend anyone its just the truth. We work more hrs, play more video games, lack of dicipline and self respect, have more fast food joints then farmers markets. Granted there are thousands who eat right, stay fit and practice good health but more are unhealthy. Look at our death rates and diseases. We as a nation have the higher rates of smokers, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, heart attacks and the list goes on. All of these are controlled by diet and exercise. Its sad but true.

sgels - 8/13/2012 2:36 PM

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It would be nice if restaurants would offer something healthy instead of biscuits/gravy and everything FRIED. We moved here from AZ 5 years ago and are just amazed how poorly people eat. They drink COKE for breakfast and we see children doing the same. It just takes wanting to be healthy and make the right choices. We have a hard time finding healthy choices when dining out and look around at the people and don't want to end up looking like they do! It is an unhealthy lifestyle.

sgels - 8/13/2012 2:33 PM

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Maybe if the restaurants here would serve something besides biscuits/gravy and everything FRIED people might be healthly!! We moved here from AZ 5 years ago and are just amazed at how many people we see drinking COKE for breakfast and fattening foods. And the kids eat this way also, they are a heart attack waiting to happen. It just takes wanting to be healthy and eat right and make good choices.

golfdude2 - 8/13/2012 2:30 PM

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While traveling last year, one of the neatest places was Copenhagen Denmark, we noticed the lack of obesity and can only point to these factors that are much different than here in the US. Most people walk or ride a bike to work, only one care per family at best. No food stamps, and unemployment is VERY temporary while the government finds you another job, you either take the job they provide or starve. The homes/apartments are small and food storage is limited so they pick up a lot of things fresh and cook that night. Not so much fast food but better, nicer restaurants with good menu's. I think we all must admit that Americans are just a lazier society (myself included) and this will catch up with you unless we make a true effort to watch the ol diet and exercise. I hope for Butch's sake and mine that fishing counts as exercise - hehe

Layla37 - 8/13/2012 1:27 PM

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I think all of us make valid points, some are fat by choice, some don't have enough money or time to grow a garden, some have health problems or take medications that cause weight gain. I see your point on food stamps being misused, but they also sale food stamps for cash too. In life we have people who make others look bad and the good have to pay the price in the long run. Example..bad cops make it hard for good cops, welfare receivers that sale drugs and cheap the system make it hard for the honest welfare people. It wouldn't be a bad idea if the Gov. put restrictions on Food Stamps other then just boose.

ArkansasYankee - 8/13/2012 1:08 PM

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Butch is also right. I'm obese according to the BMI chart. 3 heart attacks in '97 and '98; and I went from 175 to 250 in no time because I gave up smoking and alcohol, and started eating; plus I was less active after the attacks beause my doctors told me never to lift over 50 lbs ever again. Butch is also right about BCT. Best shape I was ever in; 6 ft. also, at 175. Maybe the govt. should send everyone that is overweight to Basic! 8 weeks of that will take the pounds off!

ArkansasYankee - 8/13/2012 1:00 PM

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wp is right on the mark with this one. Any of you worked in a grocery store? My last job before the VA gave me full disability. 3 and a half years of watching people filling their carts with soda, chips, cookies, sugar loaded cereal, pork that was half meat and half fat, snacks loaded with salt or sugar, cake mixes; and then pay with a food stamp card. And yes, most were obese, as were their children. I firmly believe busing is a major factor as far as child obesity goes also. I walked a few miles a day after school to get home; no buses for us back in those days. And because we didn't have to spend hours every day on a bus, we had time to play ball, ride the bikes, and stay active. Yes, blame the president for getting rid of the welfare to work plan.

Butch54 - 8/13/2012 12:52 PM

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Well when I lost a lower leg and got inactive I gained a lot of weight. At 6 ft. 220 I could lose a little. I'm a big boned boy though. The best shape of my life after Basic I weighed 190. Scored 458 out of 500 on the PT test. I don't know about the processed food being the total problem. Chicken and fish are the only meat I eat and I want my veggies fresh. I grow a small garden. The thing I will say about processed is there are some other health problems that lower world countries don't have as much of. Their rougher diet keeps them working better.

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