Americans fatter than ever: study

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans are fatter than ever, with obesity rates up in most states and fewer people exercising, according to a study released on Monday.

Only a concerted effort by state and federal government, schools and individuals will make a dent in the growing epidemic, the Trust for Americas Health reported.

Obesity rates ranged from more than 17 percent in Colorado to more than 30 percent in Mississippi.

"No state is doing well. We have seen a dramatic increase throughout the country," Jeff Levi, executive director of the nonprofit Trust, told reporters in a telephone briefing.

"Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are robbing America of our health and productivity."

Adult obesity rates rose in 31 states last year and obesity rates did not fall in any states, the report said.

"Rates of adult obesity now exceed 25 percent in 19 states, an increase from 14 states last year and 9 in 2005. In 1991, none of the states exceeded 20 percent," the Trust said in a statement.

The group advocates a concerted effort to fight obesity in the United States, where more than 60 percent of adults are either obese or overweight.

This would include changes in laws, including mandates on school lunches, requiring insurers to pay for weight loss programs and restoring physical education programs to schools.

Children are especially at risk, the group said.

"The rate of childhood obesity more than tripled from 1980 to 2004. Approximately 25 million children are now either obese or overweight," the report said.

FUTURE HEALTH IMPACTS

Obesity and overweight are defined using body mass index, a measure of height versus weight that is accepted by health experts. A body mass index of 25 or above is considered overweight, while 30 or above constitutes obesity, with a greater risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

"Particularly when looking at kids, there are health impacts now. There are going to be even greater health impacts later," Levi said. "If we aren't addressing the childhood obesity problem now, there is not going to be affordable health care reform."

There is little dispute over what is causing the epidemic.