Not a ranking to crow about

The Norman (Okla.) Transcript: State health officials have long predicted that Oklahoma could someday overtake Mississippi as the most obese state in the country. That day could come in less than 20 years, as both states are projected to have more than two-thirds of their populations obese by 2030.

The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report published this week ranks Mississippi and Oklahoma as No. 1 and No. 2 by 2030.

With the increased rate of obesity, the report projects an increase in type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension and arthritis.

If current trends continue, our state’s health care costs will rise by more than 10 percent, according to the report, “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s future 2012.” Colorado earns the award as the state with the thinnest population.

Nationwide, the report predicts that half the people in 39 states will be obese by 2030. Federal health officials had predicted a smaller rise in the obesity rate.