If you’re actively trying to lose weight, where you live may play a role in your success. You see, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that the Deep South still leads the United States in terms of obese residents. Meanwhile, Colorado emerged as the least obese, with only 19% falling under that category.

To establish these findings, the CDC performed a random telephone study of 350,000 adults nationwide. The study’s findings were published in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. According to the agency’s 2007 findings, an estimated 26% of all respondents were considered obese.  In addition, more than 30% of the adult population of three states — Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee – were considered “obese.”

The Secret to Southerners’ Weight Gain

The reason for the excessive obesity rates in these Southern states is due to various factors. According to Dr. William Dietz, the head of the CDC’s nutrition, physical activity and obesity division, the traditional Southern diet, is loaded with fatty, fried foods. In addition, this region is home to a large concentration of both rural residents and black women. Both of these groups tend to have higher obesity rates.

Unfortunately, these findings are nothing new; Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee showed similar results for the three previous years. In addition, two other Southern states, West Virginia and Louisiana, have demonstrated similar result for those years, as well. Colorado, meanwhile is considered a very healthy state, as it offers multiple biking and hiking trails. It also has a higher elevation, which requires additional effort for the body.

However, the CDC believes that this informal telephone survey may not be too accurate. Typically, men tend to overstate their actual height when asked, while women tend to understate their actual weight. “The heavier you are, the more you underestimate your weight, probably because you don’t weigh yourself as often,” said Dietz.