State of the Union: Fat

A new report finds that more Americans than ever before are technically overweight. More than one-quarter of the US population can now be classified as obese, according to government statistics. The advocacy group Trust for America's Health released a survey on Wednesday which looks at obesity levels in all 50 states. The healthiest state, according to researchers, is Colorado. The heaviest is Mississippi, where more than 25 percent of the population is overweight. Alabama and seven other Southern states are not far behind. Trust for America's Health argues more action is needed on the part of government, business and the healthcare industry to help promote healthier lifestyles. The data for the group's report was compiled by the Centers for Disease Control.

- see this press release from Trust for America's Health

PLUS: Skirmishes are breaking out between supporters of new healthy choice nutrition guidelines at US schools and critics who say the rules are downright un-American. Story