Fat Nation

Is it any wonder Americans are getting fatter and fatter?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently reported on the activity levels of American adults broken down by state.

The CDC’s minimum recommended activity standard is as follow; 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity 5 days a week, or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise at least 3 days a week.

Examples given for moderate activity includes anything that gets heart rate or breathing up a little, such as bicycling, gardening, or taking a brisk walk.

Vigorous activity would include anything that causes heavy breathing or a large increase in heart rate, such as aerobics, heavy yard work, etc.

Two things stand out to me:

1) These are not very high standards for activity levels, and very reachable for the average person, no matter what shape they are currently in.

2) It is interesting to me that the top of the list are predominately cold weather states. What this means I am not sure, but it stood out to me. I would love to hear theories on this.

So where does your state rank? My home state of New Hampshire ranks 6th (these are 2005 numbers), which is not too shabby, but at only 54.4% of adults getting the minimum recommended activity, which is pathetic.

Taking a look at these numbers, it is no wonder America is fat and sick. Are you doing your part to live a healthier lifestyle?

Most Active States

Alaska: 56.7%
Vermont: 55.9%
Wisconsin: 55.6%
Wyoming: 54.8%
Montana: 54.7%
New Hampshire: 54.4%
Oregon: 54.3%
Washington: 52.9%
Maine and Utah: 52.8%
California: 52.7%
Colorado: 52.5%
Arizona and Idaho: 52.3%
Hawaii: 52%
Massachusetts: 51.3%
Washington, D.C.: 50.7%
Connecticut: 50%
New Mexico and Rhode Island: 49.6%
Minnesota and Nevada: 49.5%
Virginia: 48.8%
Michigan: 48%
Kansas: 47.8%
Maryland and Ohio: 47.6%
Pennsylvania: 47.5%
North Dakota: 47.1%
South Dakota: 46.9%
New York: 46.4%
Indiana: 46.1%
Illinois and Missouri: 45.8%
Nebraska: 45.3%
Iowa: 45.2%
Texas: 44.8%
Arkansas and Delaware: 44.7%
New Jersey: 44.5%
Florida: 44.4%
South Carolina: 43.7%
Alabama: 41.9%
Oklahoma: 41.3%
North Carolina: 41.1%
U.S. Virgin Islands: 40.4%
Georgia: 40.2%
West Virginia: 39.6%
Mississippi: 38.6%
Louisiana: 36.5%
Tennessee: 35.4%
Kentucky: 32.9%
Puerto Rico: 32.2%