Nearly Half of Louisiana Residents Are Obese, According to New Study

Almost half of all Louisiana residents are classified as obese, according to a new analysis from NORC, a research organization at the University of Chicago.

The study shows that 47.9% of Louisianians are living with obesity under Category I, which is having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above.

This is higher than the national average of 42.7%.

(Click on the chart below to enlarge.)

While our numbers aren't great, we still are a few notches down from the "top" spots, that being Mississippi and West Virginia at around 51% each.

The District of Columbia had the lowest obesity rate at 33%, followed by Colorado at 34%.

Sadly, obesity rates have steadily risen over the past decade nationally. Obesity also disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic Americans, the analysis found.

We must keep in mind that the results of some of these findings should be taken with the proverbial "grain of salt." Some experts have questioned the methodology of determining obesity.

For example, obesity rates are determined in part by using body mass index ranges, which have been called into question for correlating weight and health too closely.