Alabama has been ranked the third fattest state in the nation, falling only behind West Virginia and its neighbor, Mississippi.

In the most recent data through the State of Obesity report, Alabama has a 35.7 percent adult obesity rate, up only slightly from the 35.6 percent adult obesity rate in 2015. The state ranked second most obese state that year.

Adult obesity rates now exceed 35 percent in five states, 30 percent in 25 states, and 25 percent in 46 states. West Virginia has the highest adult obesity rate at 37.7 percent – it was ranked No. 2 the past two years – and Colorado has the lowest at 22.3 percent.

The adult obesity rate decreased in Kansas between 2015 and 2016, increased in Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, and West Virginia, and remained stable in the rest of states. This supports trends that have shown overall leveling off of obesity rates in recent years, according to the study.

The report recommends focusing on early childhood prevention efforts, including promoting exercise, expanding investments in community-based programs, increasing health-care coverage for obesity prevention and treatment, and improving school-based efforts to provide healthy meals and physical activities.

The study, published by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, cites statistics collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Associated Press reporter John Raby contributed to this report.

BY THE NUMBERS

Colorado had the lowest adult obesity rate at 22.3 percent and West Virginia had the highest at 37.7 percent.

Nine of the 11 states with the highest obesity rates are in the South and 23 of the 25 states with the highest rates of obesity are in the South and Midwest.

Adult obesity rates have "striking racial and ethnic inequities" – with rates above 40 percent for African-Americans in 15 states and rates at or above 35 percent among Latinos in nine states, compared with rates above 35 percent among Whites in one state.

Obesity rates are around 30 percent higher among adults without a college education and with incomes below $15,000 compared with other adults.

One in four young adults who try to join the military are ineligible due to fitness and weight concerns.

Source: The State of Obesity report