Colorado is still the least-obese state in the country. But it might not be for much longer

Colorado is still the least-obese state in the country. But it might not be for much longer.

The obesity rate jumped 10 percent in one year in Colorado

"Obesity surged 10 percent in Colorado over the past year, according to the annual America’s Health Rankings report by the United Health Foundation. That means 22.3 percent of Coloradans are now considered obese, up from 20.2 in the 2016 report. Obesity is measured by body mass index, a simple calculation involving height and weight.

Colorado was hardly alone in its increased obesity. Thirty-four U.S. states added girth between last year’s report and this year’s, but Colorado’s increase was tied with West Virginia for the second-largest. (Only Washington state’s gain was greater.) Meanwhile, the second-least-obese state — Massachusetts, which the report also named the healthiest overall state in the country — saw a decline in obesity. Massachusetts is now 1.3 percentage points behind Colorado in obesity."