According to a report on Tuesday from Trust for America's Health (TFAH), a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy group for the priority of national health and prevention, obesity rates are still rising in 31 states. Some of the obesity rates in the other states have remained the same, and none of the states have been successful in lowering their rates.

The TFAH report claims that efforts made by government policies continue to fail to meet the crisis of obesity among Americans.

Nationwide, Mississippi was found to be the highest ranking state with 29.5 percent of adults considered to be obese. The rates in Alabama and West Virginia follow close behind, with rates of 28.9 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, Colorado ranked in with the lowest obesity rate of 16.9 percent. Overall, the national goal to reduce adult obesity rates to 15 percent or less by the year 2010 is failing across the country.

The statistical report from the years 2004 to 2005 found that none of the states had a decline in obesity rates. The recommendations made by the report include accountability among all levels, including schools, the food industry, professionals in the health field, and state and federal government agencies.

Although individuals must be responsible for their own actions, the report indicates that "individual behavior change will not work in isolation."

According to an interview with the Sun-Sentinel, Dr. Levi, the executive director of TFAH, said that it is devastating that at least 27 percent of the nation's healthcare costs can be attributed to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.