08/19/2008

Associated Press

Oregon is the 25th most obese state in the nation with a rate of 25 percent, according to a report from the Trust for Americas Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It is the third consecutive annual increase for the state.

Nationally, adult obesity rates rose in 37 states in the past year, and no state saw a decrease despite campaigns promoting exercise and good nutrition.

More than 25 percent of adults are obese in 28 states, up from 19 states last year. More than 20 percent of adults are obese in every state except Colorado. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.

Rates of type 2 diabetes, often associated with obesity, increased in 26 states last year but not in Oregon. Oregon ranks 38th highest in type 2 diabetes, with 6.8 percent of the population affected, and it ranks 37th highest for hypertension.

The report is a follow-up analysis of the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It showed Mississippi with the highest rate of obesity and Colorado with the lowest rate.

Nine of the 10 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South. Northeastern and Western states continue to have the lowest obesity rates.