And the fattest state in the U.S. is...

Mississippi, with Alabama moseying on its heels. Colorado still the fittest. And there's that pesky effect on the economy...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090701/ap_on_he_me/us_med_obesity_rankings

 

Hmmm, I'd have guessed Texas. Southerners and all that fried food and heat that makes exercise difficult.

 

Doesn't Mississippi also rank lowest in education?

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son Mississippi.

 

In Mississippi's defense, that state is third in PBR consumption.

 

Mississippi also has the largest percentage of poor blacks in the country, a group that is among the highest at-risk for obesity.

 

Excellent!

 

High level of church attendence too, right? For some reason that's a risk factor too, all the potlucks, I guess.

 

People often feel the need to go out after church -- a reward of sorts. They tend to go out to eat.

 

Some of these things have a lot to do with topography.

Colorado is a state made for being fit and doing a lot of things outdoors from rock climbing to hiking through the national parks, etc. etc. I feel empowered to do something active when I'm there much like I feel empowered to walk everywhere when I'm in New York City.

Mississippi is underdeveloped in a multitude of areas and just doesn't have the sort of landscape that would make you want to exercise. Flat as pancake and hotter than hell. No excuse for obesity but health just isn't a concern there

 

After I eat too much, I sometimes feel like taking a dump.

 

I celebrated by eating a deep-fried chicken on a stick.

I actually think the Mississippi/Alabama competition is largely decided by which side of the border I'm on in a given day.

 

My girl was in business in Dallas during the state fair and she was amazed at what people in the south would make (and eat) that was fried.