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Study finds US state with the unhealthiest diet, and it’s in the South
A new study has determined which US state has the unhealthiest diet, and one in the South tops the list.
It analyzed dietary data from various public health databases to find out who has the worst eating habits, based on the number of fast food chains, estimated intake of added sugars and alcohol consumption.
US state with the unhealthiest diet
The study by nutrition labelling company Food Label Maker found that Louisiana ranks first, with the unhealthiest diet in the US.
With a population of 4.6 million, Louisiana has the highest number of fast food chains at a whopping 4,027.
The state is known for its seafood, with dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, but is also the birthplace of Popeyes and Raising Cane’s.
It has an obesity rate of 40.1%, almost half of the population, and the�average daily intake of added sugars is a huge 17.6 teaspoon.
On top of that, the alcohol consumption in the state is 2.59 gallons per capita, the worst in the United States.
Other states with bad eating habits
All three of the top 10 unhealthiest states are in the South, which is known for its fast food chains including Chick-fil-A, Bojangles, KFC and Five Guys.
Coming in at second is Mississippi, with a population of almost 3 million and an obesity rate of 39.5, only slightly lower than Louisiana.
The state only has 2,428 fast food joints, but the average added sugar intake is higher at 20 teaspoons per day. They consume 2.39 gallons of alcohol per capita.
Kentucky also has bad diet habits, with 3,488 fast food chains and residents consuming an average of�21.2 teaspoons of added sugars – the most in the US.
With a population of 4.6 million, Kentucky has an obesity rate of 37.7% and drinks 2.12 gallons of alcohol per capita.
10 unhealthiest states in the US
According to the study, the 10 unhealthiest states in the US are:
- Louisiana
- Mississipi
- Kentucky
- Delaware
- Ohio
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- Iowa
- Tennessee
- South Dakota
