Maryland is middle of the pack, fat-wise, according to the annual report on fat from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health.

The obesity rate in the state is 27.1 percent, making it the 26th most obese state in the country.

Across the United States, more than two-thirds of states reported obesity rates over 25 percent. Twelve states have rates over 30 percent. The rate rose in 16 states and declined in none.

Mississippi is now the most obese state at 34.4 percent and Colorado is the least obese with 19.8 percent.

“Today, the state with the lowest adult obesity rate would have had the highest rate in 1995,” said Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America’s Health, in a statement. “There was a clear tipping point in our national weight gain over the last twenty years, and we can’t afford to ignore the impact obesity has on our health and corresponding health care spending.”

The report authors recommend individuals make lifestyle changes and policymakers institute changes and fund programs that promote healthier diets and exercise, including nutrition and activity programs in schools.

Specifically, the report found over the last 15 years:

+Seven states have doubled their rate of obesity and another 10 nearly did.

+Maryland had increased its raking from 23rd most obese state to 26th by increased its rate more than 80 percent.

+The fastest rising rates are in Oklahoma, Alabama and Tennessee, and the slowest are in Washington, D.C., Colorado and Connecticut.

+Ten years ago no state had a rate above 24 percent.

+Diabetes rates have doubled in 10 states; Maryland’s rose from 5.1 percent to 9.1 percent. Hypertension rose from 21 to 28.2 percent. The rate was much higher for blacks at 36.3 percent and 33 percent for those who didn’t graduate from high school or earn less than $15,000 a year. 

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