2 u A b C o m P r e H e N S I V e C A N C e r C e N T e r

B Y J O S H T I L L

The Impact of Obesity on Cancer

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Mississippi has the highest level of obesity

at 34.4 percent, with Alabama trailing at a

close second with 32.3 percent.

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Ac c o rd i n g to recently released

data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

the South is home to nine of the 10 most obese states in the nation. Mississippi has the highest

level of obesity at 34.4 percent, with Alabama trailing at a close second with 32.3 percent (see chart).

These numbers are part of a disturbing overall trend. Since 1994, the number of obese adults age 20 or older has increased by 8 percent to approximately 73 million people. According to CDC data, obesity levels rose in 16 states in the last year—but even more alarming, levels decreased in zero states.