The five most obese and the five best states

According to a new study, the proportion of obese adults in seven states is now over 35%. Experts from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation rank states based on their obesity rates, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest behavioral risk factor monitoring system. The study found that despite policy changes aimed at reducing obesity in the past few years, the proportion of obese adults remained stable in most states, actually increasing in six states. From the worst, according to the latest obesity report, here's a list of the five best and five worst states in the United States.

Credit: Andy / Adobe stock

worst 5: Alabama

about 36.3% of Alabama adults report obesity, higher than 22% in 2000 and 11.2% in 1990. In addition to ranking states according to obesity rates, the authors of the obesity report also discussed policy actions taken by States to prevent and reduce obesity. They found that Alabama was one of the 17 states that did not have a complete street policy and considered safe and convenient walking and cycling options when planning transportation. Next step: Despite the state's fourth highest obesity rate, the state is doing well on other obesity related issues.

Credit: Scott boffin / Adobe stock

worst 4: Iowa

nothing, Iowa beat Alabama with 36.4% obesity rate, ranking fourth. Interestingly, when it comes to obesity related health issues, the state does a pretty good job. According to the obesity report, Iowa's adult diabetes rate (9.6%) and adult hypertension rate (31.5%) ranked 35th and 29th respectively. However, this is only one of six states, with obesity actually increasing between 2016 and 2017. Next step: high school and high school students in this state don't need to take part in physical education.

Credits: Kentucky Cross / eyeem / eyeem / gettyimages

worst 3: Oklahoma, Oklahoma, ranks third with 36.5% obesity rate, higher than 20.1% in 2000 and 10.3% in 1990. This is one of the only eight states that do not require high school students to participate in physical education, and also one of the only 14 states that do not require high school students to participate in physical education. This partly explains why obesity rates rank 11th among young people aged 10 to 17. Like Iowa, Oklahoma is one of only six states, with the proportion of obese adults rising between 2016 and 2017. Last state: the second highest obesity rate state in the United States. Credit: the second highest obesity rate in Mississippi is 37.3%. This is an increase of 13.6% over 2000 and 22% over 1990. The authors of the obesity report also found that its adult obesity rate (14.2%) ranked second in the States and its adult hypertension rate (40.8%) ranked fourth. Mulan also has the third highest proportion of obese children aged 10 to 17, at 37%. Read on to find out which state is number one on our list. Next step: the state with the highest obesity rate in the United States. Credit card: Richard t. Nowitz / Corbis documentary / gettyimages (back in 2000, 23.9% of the state's adults were obese, and in 1990 only 13.7% had a BMI of more than 30.) The state also has the highest incidence of adult diabetes (15.2%) and adult hypertension (43.5%). Read on to the six states with the lowest obesity rates!

previous: our list of the states with the lowest obesity rate in the United States.

Credit: Ali maguifar / time / gettyimages

best 5: Utah (TIE)

Utah is tied for fifth place with another state, on our list of the states with the lowest obesity rate. About 25.3% of adults are obese, up from 17.3% in 2000 and 9% in 1990. Although it did not rank first among the lowest obesity rates in adults, it was the lowest proportion of obese youth aged 10 to 17 (19.2%). The state has the lowest prevalence of diabetes (7.1%) and the lowest prevalence of hypertension (24.5%). Next: the state is tied for fifth place with Utah.

Credits: Alex eggermont / image source / gettyimages

best 5: Montana (TIE)

about 25.3% of adults are obese, making Montana and Utah tied for fifth place. Treasure state is one of the only 22 states that require a licensed early childhood education program to allow or encourage breastfeeding on site, and only 14 states provide a minimum period of time for secondary school students to participate in physical education.

previous: the state gives priority to providing safe route schools for students walking or cycling.

Credit: Dan breckwoldt / Adobe stock

best 4: California

Golden State entered our top five, 25.1% of adults reported obesity. Only six states set the minimum time requirements for high school students to participate in physical exercise, while only 14 states set the minimum time requirements for junior high school students to participate in physical exercise. Uls. It is also one of 16 states with safe school routes that promote walking and cycling to and from school by "improving sidewalks, bike lanes, and street intersections; reducing the speed of school areas and communities; addressing distracted driving; prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle safety," the authors report on obesity. Next step: high school students in this state don't quit PE.

Credit: Thomas Zaida / Adobe stock

best 3: Hawaii

Aloha State's adult obesity rate ranks third in the country (23.8%); unfortunately, Hawaii's adult diabetes prevalence rate (10.9%) ranks 20th. But on the positive side, like California, it's one of only six states that requires high school students to take part in physical education. Next step: although it's not a state, the region beats most of the country in terms of obesity rates.

Credit: Mike Liu / Adobe stock

Best 2: District of Columbia

although it is not a state, the obesity rate in Washington, D.C. is definitely worth mentioning, beating 49 states by 23%. It is also the fourth lowest incidence of adult diabetes (7.8%) and the third lowest incidence of adult hypertension (26.7%)。 Washington, D.C. has joined only four states that require early childhood education programs to provide private space for mothers to breastfeed. Last step: the state with the lowest obesity rate in the country. Credit:

Best

Colorado has fewer obese adults than any other state (or the U.S. capital), only 22.6% of adults report obesity. The proportion of diabetic patients was the third lowest (7.4%), followed by hypertension patients (25.9%). According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps prevent obesity. They recommend that adults do at least two hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate intensity aerobic exercise a week, including any exercise that will speed up your heart rate. Understanding your calorie balance, or the amount of calories you eat compared to the amount of calories you burn in a day, can also help you lose weight. You can start using food diaries to track your calorie intake, or you can use the myplate calorie tracking system on live strong.com.

related: 21 deadliest places in the United States