Kentucky ranked sixth in nation for obesity, fourth in high blood pressure, second for diabetes

A new report shows 29.5 percent of Kentuckians are obese, sixth highest in the nation. The state ranked second in the nation for the highest percentage of diabetes, with 13.7 percent of Kentucky residents diagnosed with the disease, and fourth in high blood pressure, at 36.3 percent.

According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, West Virginia had the highest rates of obesity (35.3 percent),  diabetes (15.7 ) and high blood pressure (38.9) in the country. Colorado had the lowest, with 18.5, 6.8 and 22.6, respectively. Colorado "is the only state where fewer than 20 percent of adults are obese," reports Elizabeth Mendes for Gallup. West Virginia's obesity rate is the highest for any state since the study began in 2008.

The survey asked respondents if they had been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. to measure obesity, "participants were asked to report their height and weight, allowing Gallup to calculate their body mass index," reports The Huffington Post. A person with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. (Read more)