WASHINGTON--Adult obesity rates increased in 31 states last year--and no states saw a decrease. According to "F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2007," the fourth annual report from health advocacy group Trust for America's Health says 22 states saw increased obesity for the second year in a row. And for the third year in a row, Mississippi weighed in at number one. Of the 15 states with the highest rates of obesity, 10 are in the South. Among the report's other findings: --Mississippi, with a 30.6 percent adult obesity rate, is the first state to top 30 percent. --Colorado is the leanest state, though its obesity rate increased from 16.9 to 17.6 percent over the past year. --Adult obesity rates are now greater than 25 percent in 19 states, up from 14 states last year and nine states in 2005; no state had a rate greater than 20 percent in 1991. --Rates of overweight children age 10 to 17 were highest in Washington, D.C. (22.8 percent), and lowest in Utah (8.5 percent). --Of the 10 states with the highest rate of overweight children, eight are in the South. --22 percent of adults in the country say they do not engage in any physical activity. TFAH advocates the implementation of a national strategy to combat obesity by the federal government and says the plan "should involve every federal government agency, define clear roles and responsibilities for states and localities, and engage private industry and community groups." The report can be downloaded at the Trust for America's Health Web site, www.healthyamericans.org.

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© 2007 Penton Media, Inc.