Arkansas reports highest obesity rate in the nation

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — New government data puts Arkansas at the top of the list of states with high obesity. {}More than one in three Arkansans classify as obese and more than two-thirds of Arkansans are considered overweight.

The "weight talk" is a conversation Dr. Christopher Pittman, family practitioner at Baptist Health West Little Rock clinic, has rather often.

"Almost 70 percent of our patients are either overweight or obese," said Pittman. "Almost every patient that comes through the clinic, we have to have a conversation about weight."

The results of a telephone survey, analyzed by the advocacy group Trust for America's Health, had Arkansas taking the cake when it comes to the rate of obese adults per capita, with 35.9 percent of Arkansans considered obese. {}The report shows roughly 23.9 percent of Arkansans ages 18-24 are obese, 41.7 percent of Arkansans ages 45-64 are also listed as obese.

According to the data, Arkansas, West Virginia (35.7%), Mississippi (35.5%), Louisiana (34.9%) and Alabama (33.5%) round out the top five states with the most obese population. {}The lowest ranking states, states with lower number of obese residents, were Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts and California.

"Food in the south, there's a feeling associated with it," said Dr. Pittman. {}"There's that family, the camaraderie - and a lot of our activities are centered around food."

Pittman said foods in the south tend to be fried, sugary and overall higher in fat. {}Some of the top grossing restaurants in the state tend to be fast food establishments and buffets.

"It's a mindset that you have to change," said Pittman. {}"You really have to say, for me to be healthy I have to do X, Y and Z, and what that is, is paying attention to what you're eating, monitoring how many calories you take in, and making sure exercise is a part of it."

Pittman admits that changing the mindset of Arkansans isn't easy - the report mentioning a lack of healthy food options for many and limited access to nutrition education. Pittman believes the state needs to spend more on enlightening Arkansans about a healthy lifestyle.

"I feel like you would gain a whole lot more paying for it on the front end, than paying for the heart attack or stroke down the road," said Pittman.

Arkansas consistently ranks in the top ten states when it comes to the rates of stroke and heart disease.

If you'd like to see the full report, The State of Obesity: 2015, click here.