On a scale of the nation's "fattest" states, Mississippi is ranked No. 1, according to WalletHub's latest ranking on "America's fattest states" in 2016.
Analysts at the personal finance website came up with its list by pulling data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
They compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across three metrics: 1) obesity and overweight prevalence, 2) unhealthy habits and consequences and 3) food and fitness.
For the study, analysts evaluated obesity and overweight prevalence by examining percentage of overweight and obese children, teenagers and adults.
Analysts evaluated unhealthy habits and consequences by comparing metrics like consumption of sugary beverages, percentage of residents with high cholesterol, diabetes and more.
And to determine each state's food and fitness ranking, analysts examined the accessibility of healthy food options, fast food restaurants per capita and fitness centers per capita.
Nationally, WalletHub found that more than three quarters of American adults today are either overweight or obese. And for the first time in history, there are more obese people than overweight.
Here are the top 10 "fattest" states in America, according to WalletHub's ranking:
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- Texas
- Oklahoma
The leanest, or least “fat” state? Utah.
