Hawaii: The Least-Fattest State in the Nation

That’s according to a new survey, which says waistbands are the widest in Mississippi and West Virginia.

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Our traffic sucks and it costs too much to live here, but here’s a little news to cheer you up:

Hawaii had the lowest obesity rate in the country in 2014, with Colorado not far behind.

Bringing up the rear, so to speak, are Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, the states where obesity is the highest.

Obesity rates by states 2014

Screen shot.

“These data, collected as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, are based on respondents’ self-reported height and weight, which are used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) scores,” according to the report. “Americans who have a body mass index of 30 or higher are classified as obese.”

Hawaii’s obesity index is 19, for example, while Mississippi’s is 35.2.

More helpful info: “Gallup and Healthways have found a consistent and strong link between obesity and Americans’ overall well-being. Therefore, many of the states with the lowest obesity rates are also among those with the highest overall Well-Being Index scores.”

So, put down that malasada and Coke and have guava juice and some kale.

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