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.
The report ranked Colorado as the seventh healthiest state in the country, an improvement of three spots over last year’s 10th place finish. In addition to low obesity, the report lauded Colorado for having a low prevalence of diabetes, a high rate of physical activity and improving measurements for infant mortality and cardiovascular death. The state scored poorly in a measurement of excessive drinking and on another that weighs inequality in health status based on education levels.
“It is impossible for every Coloradan to thrive when there are health disparities based on education, race or income level,” Dr. Larry Wolk, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said in a statement. “These issues are multifaceted and require all state agencies to partner in our work to decrease these disparities.”
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said the rankings also provide a reason for optimism.
“Colorado is a vibrant state with a population that values physical activity and wellness,” Hickenlooper said in a statement. “The index provides an important marker on our way to becoming the healthiest state in the nation.”