A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health predicts that nearly half the adult U.S. population will be obese by 2030, and a quarter of the population will suffer from severe obesity. Presently, the researchers estimate 40% of American adults have obesity, 18% severely so. Jonathan Dugas, PhD, exercise physiologist and clinical development consultant at Vitality USA, appreciates that often the cards are stacked against us when it comes to making healthier choices. "So many aspects of our work and home environments, and even our everyday lives, have characteristics that promote obesity," he says. "Eating nutritious food and maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult due to the numerous social, behavioral, and environmental factors at work." However, with strong evidence linking increased fruit and vegetable intake to a reduced risk of obesity-linked diseases, making those healthier choices can be the silver bullet when it comes to lessening not only challenges to our personal well-being but also health care costs. The Centers for Disease Control estimate obesity-related medical care costs to be $173 billion a year. A new study from pharmaceutical consulting and data services firm Ozmosi diagnoses the current health of the nation, and reveals that some states have taken great strides in reducing not only rates of obesity but other health risks as well—while others have a little farther to go. |

The unhealthiest states

According to the study, the least healthy states in the U.S. (ranked 49th and 50th) are Kentucky and West Virginia, each scoring 40 out of a possible 100 due to a number of unhealthy behaviors and chronic diseases. West Virginia has the highest prevalence of obesity among the states (40.6%), as well as high rates of adults getting less than 7 hours of sleep (40.58%) and adults who currently smoke (25.89%). Meanwhile, Kentucky has the highest percentage of adults with no physical leisure-time activity (34.77%) as well as the highest percentage of current smoking adults (26.09%). Both states have exceptionally high percentages of adults with coronary heart disease, with West Virginia leading the nation in adults with high blood cholesterol. Louisiana, Alabama, and Arkansas make up the rest of the five unhealthiest U.S. states. All three feature high rates of obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity. The remainder of the unhealthiest states include Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi and Oklahoma. |

Related: Top 10 healthiest (unhealthiest) cities in America

Florida, with an overall score of 57.4, comes in at number 35 on the list. The study says the Sunshine State has a high obesity rate (33.5%) and adult smoking rate (21.37%). There are also higher percentages of inactive adults who get insufficient sleep and infrequently consume fruits. At number 37, Texas scores an overall 55.1, with a high obesity rate (36.1%) and percentage of adults with no physical leisure-time activity (30.18%). See our slideshow above for the healthiest states in the U.S., and click here for the full study