Virginia Is Fatter Than 21 Other States: Report

Virginia is in the middle of the pack when it comes to weight in America. Routinely, the U.S. ranks at or near the top as far as most obese countries in the world, and Virginia ranks 29th in the country in obesity rate, according to the financial news and opinion site 24/7 Wall St., which reviewed federal health data.

Nationwide, about 35 percent of adults can be classified as overweight and another 30 percent are obese, the report said. The national obesity rate today has doubled since the 1980s, and obesity is now considered the second leading cause of premature death in the U.S.

While Virginia was No. 29, neighboring West Virginia was deemed the most obese state, with an obesity rate of 37.7 percent, according to the recent study. In West Virginia, about 71 percent of the population is reportedly overweight and obese, eclipsed only by Mississippi, where 71.3 percent meet that benchmark.

Here's the breakdown for obesity in Virginia:

• Adult obesity rate: 29 percent
• Adults overweight and obese: 65.5 percent (25th smallest)
• Adults who do not exercise: 23.3 percent (25th largest)
• Premature deaths per 100,000 residents: 316.7 (19th lowest)

According to the Mayo Clinic, obesity is diagnosed when a person's body mass index, or BMI, is 30 or higher. BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal while a score of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. Anything past that is deemed obese, with varying levels.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2016 obesity rates in every state as calculated by the Centers for Disease Control.

The South had nine of the 10 steepest obesity rates, the authors found. West Virginia was deemed the most obese state, with a rate of 37.7 percent. Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana rounded out the top five.

On the flip side, low obesity rates could be found across the country, particularly in the Rocky Mountains region, the Northeast and the West coast. Colorado was found to be the least obese state with a rate of 22.3 percent. Massachusetts, Hawaii, California and Utah followed closely behind.

Here were the most obese, based on the report:

1. West Virginia
2. Mississippi
3. Arkansas
4. Alabama
5. Louisiana
6. Tennessee
7. Kentucky
8. Texas
9. Oklahoma
10. Michigan

Overall, most Americans are either overweight or obese, the report said. This could be problematic; an excessive amount of body fat is more than simply "a cosmetic concern," according to the Mayo Clinic.

"It increases your risk of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure," the organization says on its website. Being extremely obese means you are particularly likely to have weight-related health problems, the agency added.

Furthermore, a National Institute of Health study found that life expectancy for an obese person is on average 14 years shorter than it is for someone with a healthier body mass. Even modest weight loss can improve or prevent such outcomes, and the agency suggests dietary changes, increased physical activity and behavioral changes to lose weight. Other options could be prescription drugs and weight-loss surgery.

Click here to read the full report.

Patch reporter Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo credit: Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock