Mo. among states with very high obesity rates

ST. LOUIS -- Missouri is among 12 states cited in a new government survey with very high obesity rates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released figures Monday showing that Missouri is among a dozen states with obesity rates of at least 30 percent. The CDC says 30.3 percent of Missourians are obese.

Overall, more than a third of adults are obese. The latest figures are based on a 2011 telephone survey that asked adults their height and weight. For the first time, households with only cell phones were included.

In addition to Missouri, other states with very high rates include Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.

Colorado was lowest, at just under 21 percent, and Mississippi was highest at nearly 36 percent.