Colorado remains least-obese state in US, but gap narrows
Colorado retained its crown as the least-obese state in America this year, according to a new report out Tuesday. But the state’s widening waistlines mean that superlative is in jeopardy.
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.
Ted Schweitzer, front, resorts to using his hands as he climbs up one of the steeper sections of the newly renovated Incline trail Friday, December 5, 2014. The Incline was closed for three-months as it underwent $1.5 million facelift to improve loose railroad ties, erosion control and remove debris. Many hikers agreed that the trail was made steeper with the improvements. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette
Ted Schweitzer, front, resorts to using his hands as he climbs up one of the steeper sections of the newly renovated Incline trail Friday, December 5, 2014. The Incline was closed for three-months as it underwent $1.5 million facelift to improve loose railroad ties, erosion control and remove debris. Many hikers agreed that the trail was made steeper with the improvements. Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette