5 Unhappiest States in the US

1. West Virginia

Happiness Score by WalletHub: 35.08

West Virginia, a state with a population of over 1.783 million, has a happiness score of only 35.08, which equals to an unhappiness score of about 65. One of the biggest reasons behind the growing unhappiness in the state is poor lifestyle choices.

In West Virginia, there are 5.3 fast-food restaurants per 10,000 and an obesity rate of 41.3%. Moreover, a recent study by BetSperts shows that West Virginians chose McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) as their favorite fast food restaurant of choice. In fact, the demand is so high that there are 90 McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) locations in West Virginia. The high levels of fat and added sugars in McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD) food plays a massive role in bad mental health.

Other than that, 21% of adults in the state smoke, which contributes further to deteriorating mental health. The study by Wallethub also revealed that West Virginia has high rates of insomnia, very little amount of exercise enthusiasts, a poor community structure, and a worsening environment. It also scored 50 out of 100 in both work environment and emotional and physical well-being. West Virginia is also among the top 5 states with lowest life expectancy in the US (see 5 States with Lowest Life Expectancy).

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