LITTLE ROCK—Arkansas was ranked 40th in overall health in a new report that says smoking and obesity are still among the biggest health challenges for Arkansans and much of the nation.

The annual America’s Health Rankings report is released annually by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. Now in its 20th year, the report’s rankings are based on 37 health measures.

Arkansas’ ranking is up from 50th in 1998.

Paul Halverson, director of the Arkansas Department of Health, said some state efforts are starting to show results, such as restricting smoking in businesses and improving the nutritional value of food served in public schools.

“We still have a long way to go,” he said.

About 22.3 percent of Arkansas’ 2.15 million adults smoke, and 29.5 percent of the state’s 2.86 million residents are obese. Nationwide, 18.3 percent of people smoke, and 26.6 percent of the population is obese.

The report looks such things as the percentage of adults who smoke, violent crime, the percentage of young children who receive recommended immunizations and the percentage of pregnant women receiving prenatal care.

Arkansas’ surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Thompson, said he was encouraged by the latest rankings.

“I think cautious optimism is the right term,” he said. “I think what’s exciting is not necessarily the number being 40th but the trend that we’re on, which is an improving trend. I think you have to look at it over time.”

The state’s lowest marks were for smoking and obesity, as well as a high rate of preventable hospitalizations. Arkansas ranked 43rd for smoking prevalence and 41st for obesity. It was 44th for preventable hospitalizations, with 90.2 of every 1,000 Arkansans enrolled in Medicare. Arkansas has made some gains with its adult smoking rate, which dropped 9 percent from 31.3 percent in 1990. But obesity rates have risen 6.3 percent from 13.2 percent in 1990.

Nationwide, the numbers are more dramatic. Smoking rates across the country have dropped 38 percent over the past decade, from 29.5 percent in 1990 to 18.3 percent in 2009. But obesity rates have jumped 129 percent over the same period, from 11.6 percent in 1990 to 26.6 percent in 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define obesity as having a body mass index of 30 or more, based on a calculation of a persons height and weight.

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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com