Hockessin, Del. -  

Adult obesity rates increased in 28 states over the past year, decreasing only in the District of Columbia. This year, 38 states have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. Last year only 31 states hit that mark.


These statistics come from the seventh annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future - 2010 report, released June 29, byt the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The report contains rankings of state obesity breaking down each state's rankings in both adult and childhood obesity. This year's report also features discussion about the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption to maintaining a healthy weight.


The report finds that 15 states experienced an increase in the rate of adult obesity for the second consecutive year, and 11 states experienced an increase for the third straight year when compared with past reports. For the sixth year in a row Mississippi has the highest rate of obese adults weighing in at 33.8 percent this time. Colorado boasts the lowest adult obesity rate, only 19.1 percent and was the only state with an obesity rate below 20 percent this year. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.


This year’s F as in Fat report addresses how important fruit and vegetable consumption is to being healthy. The report states that “fruit and vegetable consumption – as part of a healthy diet – are important for weight management, optimal child growth, and chronic disease prevention.” It goes on to make the correlation that the eight states with the lowest rates of fruit and vegetable consumption are also on the top ten list of states with the highest obesity rates.


Elizabeth Pivonka is a Registered Dietitian and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® national public health initiative. Pivonka says that most adults don't get the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables each day. “Eating more fruits and vegetables in place of options that are higher in fat and calories is an important step in losing weight and keeping it off.


"Fruits and vegetables play important roles in the process of weight loss and weight maintenance,” says Pivonka. “Not only because they are low in calories but also because they provide a wide range of valuable nutrients like vitamins and potassium. They are also high in fiber and water, so eating them will keep you feeling full longer.”


Pivonka adds that fruits and vegetables are loaded with healthy fiber, and fiber rich diets have been shown to have a number of beneficial effects, including a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.


“Fruits and vegetables are the cheapest form of health insurance you can buy since eating them may help reduce the risk of obesity and many diseases,” adds Pivonka. “Everyone can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, so fill at least half of your plate with them at every meal.”


Pivonka says, “Fruits and vegetables provide the unrivaled combination of great taste, nutrition, abundant variety and multiple product forms. There is no need to eat the same thing day after day when there are so many delicious fruits and veggies from which to choose. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet is easy when you remember that all product forms count – fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juice.”


To read a PDF of the full F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future- 2010 report, including state-by-state rankings of both adult and obesity and obese and overweight children ages 10-17, click here, or go to TFAH's website at www.healthyamericans.org or RWJF's website at www.rwjf.org.


For ideas on how to include more healthy fruits and vegetables in meals and snacks, Fruits & Veggies—More Matters offers tools and advice including, recipes, nutrition information, tips for getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables, and even videos, online at www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org.

Here is a quick list of weight loss tips from Elizabeth Pivonka, R.D.

Set out raw vegetables with dip before starting to prepare the meal. Everyone, including the cook, can snack on these while the meal is cooking. This strategy will help you eat more veggies and keep you from overindulging on other things later.

Use a smaller plate, like an 8 or 9 inch luncheon plate, not a 10 – 12 inch dinner plate, and make sure to fill at least half of it with fruits and veggies at every meal.

Have fruit instead of processed sweets for dessert.  Or try chocolate with your fruit instead of fruit with your chocolate!

Keep a variety of canned fruits and vegetables on hand. They are pre-cooked as part of the canning process and need just a few seconds in the microwave or on the stove to heat up. Healthy and fast!

Add frozen vegetables to box meals to boost their flavor, color, and nutrition! They won’t add to the cooking time, they’ll make the meal go further, and you won’t have to fix an extra side-dish.

Spend the few extra cents to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are already washed and cut up, or buy larger bags and clean and cut them up yourself and put them into portion controlled containers. Keep them on hand for ready to eat snacks, pack them into lunches and take them on car trips.

When shopping, let kids select a new fruit or vegetable for the whole family to try – remember, all forms count; fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100 percent juice!

Don’t forget about dried fruits and veggies! Keep a bag of your favorites in your handbag or in the car for those times when a craving strikes while you’re on the go. These also work well as fast additions to breakfast cereals or soups and stews.

For a quick breakfast fix a smoothie with fat-free milk and frozen fruit.

Ask your kids what fruits and vegetables they have eaten at school or at a friend’s home that they like, but you don’t serve – you might find something new that turns out to be a family favorite!

Got home late and don’t want to cook? Top a bag of pre-washed salad mix with canned tuna, chicken, or a can of your favorite beans, add your favorite veggies like grape tomatoes, cucumber, or bell peppers, and top with low-fat dressing for a quick, yet satisfying meal.

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About Produce for Better Health Foundation
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) fruit and vegetable education foundation.  Since 1991, PBH has been working hard to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health. PBH achieves success through industry and government collaboration, first with the 5 A Day program and now with the Fruits & Veggies—More Matters public health initiative.  Fruits & Veggies—More Matters is the nation’s largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military.
PBH is also a member and co-chair with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) of the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry working to collaboratively and synergistically achieve increased nationwide access and demand for all forms of fruits and vegetables for improved public health. To learn more, visit www.pbhfoundation.org and www.FruitsandVeggiesMoreMatters.org.