If you live in Mississippi, you have the highest risk in the nation of being obese. At 35.2 percent, Mississippi had the highest obesity rate in the nation in 2014, according to a new poll from Gallup-Healthways.  Hawaii, at 19 percent, has the lowest obesity rate in America.
 

It's the Magnolia State's second year in a row to have the dubious honor of having the highest obesity rate. Both Mississippi and West Virginia have topped the obesity list since 2012. Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky have landed in the top 10 states with the highest obesity rates since the poll began in 2008.
 

Colorado has consistently ranked as one of the two least obese states since 2008. California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have also ranked among the 10 states with the lowest obesity rates since the poll began.
 

The national obesity rate continued to rise from 2008's rate of 25.5 percent, and stood at 27.7 percent in 2014 — up from 27.1 percent in 2013. Only Tennessee has shown a significant decline in obesity since polling began.
 

Overall, obesity rates are highest in Southern and Midwestern states and lowest in Northeastern and Western states.
 

Obesity is linked to many health conditions, including diabetes and heart problems, but the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index also found that people who are obese report they suffer more socially and financially than those who are not obese.
 

Previous Gallup polls have found that while Americans want to lose weight, they fall short in effort, and Gallup suggests that financial struggles and a lack of supportive relationships may hinder attempts to lose weight.  
 

"There are proven, effective interventions for helping people lose weight and sustain their weight loss," said Janet Calhoun, senior vice president at Healthways told Gallup. "For maximum impact, interventions need to go beyond addressing eating habits and physical activity, and include the emotional and social aspects of well-being. Helping people approach change with optimism, resilience and with an awareness of their personal passions are proven techniques for long-lasting behavior change."