We are heavier than ever.
Once considered an affliction of the lazy and indulgent, obesity now affects about one-third of Americans. The epidemic has swept up the wealthy, middle class and the poor; city dwellers, suburbanites and those in rural areas; and people of all races and ethnicities.
The causes, researchers say, are numerous. These include a diet of calorie-dense but nutrient-deficient food found in grocery and convenience stores, public planning strategies that favor motorists over walkers and cyclists, and simply bad habits.
And while the causes are many, the costs are enormous. Obesity's associated costs add $93 billion to the nation's medical bill annually. Each year, 112,000 people die from obesity-related causes, and the condition is responsible for an increased risk of chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Slide Show: America's Most Obese Cities
To better understand the local and state implications of the obesity epidemic, we ranked the nation's heaviest cities. In doing so, we discovered states with multiple offenders, metropolitan areas with expanding waistlines and a high representation of Southern cities. Worse yet, after claiming the title of the most sedentary city, Memphis, Tennessee, has also ranked first as the country's most obese.
Researchers have found that residents are aware of the area's obesity problem, currently affecting 34% of its population. Among the causes they blame: high rates of poverty and a culture of Southern hospitality and food that values certain types of dishes--many of them fried--over healthier choices. Memphis, Tennessee actually sits on the western edge of a web of Southern cities along with Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta, that also landed on Forbes' list. To See Full Report, Click Here
By Rebecca Ruiz
© 2007 Forbes.com LLC™
