A list upon which it's not good to be number 1.

[mgc1961]

Adult obesity rates increased in 16 states in the past year and did not decline in any state, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2011, a report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Twelve states now have obesity rates above 30 percent. Four years ago, only one state was above 30 percent.

The obesity epidemic continues to be most dramatic in the South, which includes nine of the 10 states with the highest adult obesity rates. States in the Northeast and West tend to have lower rates. Mississippi maintained the highest adult obesity rate for the seventh year in a row, and Colorado has the lowest obesity rate and is the only state with a rate under 20 percent.

The synopsis: http://www.healthyamericans.org/report/88/

Where I live: http://www.healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2011/release.php?stateid=TN

The 1995 Top Ten: 1. Mississippi (19.4%); 2. Indiana (18.3%); 3. West Virginia* (17.7%); 4. Michigan (17.2%); 5. (tie) Arkansas* (17.0%); and Louisiana* (17.0%); 7. Missouri (16.9%); 8. (tie) Kentucky** (16.6%); and South Carolina* (16.6%); 10. (tie) Tennessee** (16.4%); and Wisconsin (16.4%).

The 2011 Top Ten: 1.Mississippi (34.4%); 2. Alabama (32.3%); 3. West Virginia* (32.2%); 4. Tennessee (31.9%); 5. Louisiana (31.6%); 6. Kentucky** (31.5%); 7. Oklahoma** (31.4%); 8. South Carolina* (30.9%); 9. Arkansas (30.6%); 10. Michigan* (30.5%);

[era veteran]

1. Note that the best state in 2011 would have been the

worst in 1995. So, even though it is worse in the South, everybody has a problem. Fast food & high fructose corn syrup or does someone have a fat ray. I would bet that we have the fattest population of all history.

[mgc1961]

2. I have three components to my weight management program.

Regular exercise, portion control, and beer.*

* Not necessarily in that order.

[era veteran]

3. I have never had a problem with weight.

I manage a restaurant too after twenty years of being a chef. I am an active person though. I quit alcohol 23 years ago but that didn't change my weight. Lucky I guess but I am in Kentucky and I see some big folks. I have to instruct my hosting staff not to seat obese people at booths because they can't fit in. It can get awkward at times.

[mgc1961]

8. Good for you.

My Dad's from KY. He's naturally a pretty big guy but he's never really had a serious weight problem either, up to now. He's getting older and he's lost some of his muscle mass which has made him a bit frail. He also doesn't drink. To my knowledge, he never really cared much for it although he did smoke when he was a young man but gave it up because of the adverse affect it had on my childhood bouts with asthma and bronchitis.

The only time I had a short lived weight issue was when I lifted weights back in the early '80s. I quit the weight-room but didn't adjustment my consumption rate right away so I was a little spongy for several months.

:hi:

[immoderate]

4. Every day that you tap dance, is another day you CAN tap dance.

--imm

[Tutankhamun]

5. But nobody has to actually SEE me tap dance

For this to be true, right?

[immoderate]

6. Of course! Tap dancing is all about sound! Nevertheless...

Take it as a euphemism for whatever motivates you to move. Whatever feels good. :)

--imm

[Tutankhamun]

7. That's very good advice.

I always say the best exercise is the one that you do.

[formercia]

9. Chicken-Fried Steak, Biscuits and Gravy with Beans and Cornbread.

mmmmm...good.

[Stuart G]

10. Now, which country in the world has the most obesity??you tell me.

Here is alink to find out number 1 country in developed world....

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2010/09/u-s-still-tops-in-increasingly-obese-developed-world/22904/

Here is a neat little graph to look at... The U.S is not number one on that graph..but we are number 2

http://www.oecd.org/document/35/0,3343,en_21571361_44315115_46064099_1_1_1_1,00.html

[mgc1961]

11. Thanks for your addition, Stuart.

[Stuart G]

12. I was obese in 1980...weighed about 210.... 5'6"..

Over next two years lost about 50 pounds...
Have regained about 5 pounds since then..very very hard to keep it off.
Last July, I gave up 95 percent of all food that had refined sugar in it. I loved that stuff. That was also very very hard

But it is worth it. I don't crave that stuff anymore, and fruits and veggies taste a whole lot better.
especially..orange juice (the stuff that has no sugar, and just orange juice..not from concentrate)..only oranges grown here...I might add..