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Most Obese States 2024
Obesity is considered an epidemic in the United States. Obesity is when an adult has a BMI of 30 or greater. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 41.9% of Americans were obese in 2020, approximately 93 million people.
Bodyweight is the result of several factors such as overeating, lack of physical activity, genetics, culture, and metabolism. Obesity is linked to many health complications and diseases, such as early death, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and stroke. Thus, obesity prevalence is a significant factor in determining which states are the healthiest.
Obesity in the United States
There are some groups with higher obesity rates, according to the CDC. Overall, men and women with college degrees had a lower obesity prevalence than those who did not have a higher education. The prevalence of obesity was highest among middle-aged adults, ages 45-54 years old, at 37.6%, compared to young adults, ages 18-24, at 18.9%. Additionally, the prevalence of obesity is significantly higher among the non-Hispanic Black population than the non-Hispanic white or Hispanic populations.
State | Obesity Rate |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 40.6% |
| Kentucky | 40.3% |
| Alabama | 39.9% |
| Oklahoma | 39.4% |
| Mississippi | 39.1% |
| Arkansas | 38.7% |
| Louisiana | 38.6% |
| South Dakota | 38.4% |
| Ohio | 37.7% |
| Iowa | 36.4% |
All U.S. states reported obesity rates above 20% in 2021. Nineteen states reported obesity rates above 35%. Seventeen states saw an increase in their obesity rates between 2020 and 2021. The Midwest and South had the highest obesity prevalence, with 33.9% and 33.3%, respectively.
Most Obese U.S. States
According to the most recent obesity numbers, the state with the highest obesity rate is West Virginia, with an obesity rate of 40.6%. West Virginia also has the second-lowest life expectancy of 74.8 years.
Consumer Protect also released a Couch Potato Index, which ranks the 50 states by the percentage of adults who participate in zero physical activity, according to the CDC. Mississippi is second on this list, with 33.2% of adults engaging in zero physical activity. West Virginia ranks number eight on this list at 31.6%.
The least obese state in the United States is the District of Columbia and Hawaii, with an obesity prevalence of 24.7% and 25% respectively. Colorado has the third-lowest obesity rate of 25.1%. Coloradans are considered to be some of the most physically active people, with plenty of outdoor space and activities and better eating habits.
State | Obesity Rate |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | 40.6% |
| Kentucky | 40.3% |
| Alabama | 39.9% |
| Oklahoma | 39.4% |
| Mississippi | 39.1% |
| Arkansas | 38.7% |
| Louisiana | 38.6% |
| South Dakota | 38.4% |
| Ohio | 37.7% |
| Iowa | 36.4% |
| Indiana | 36.3% |
| South Carolina | 36.1% |
| Texas | 36.1% |
| Kansas | 36% |
| North Carolina | 36% |
| Nebraska | 35.9% |
| North Dakota | 35.2% |
| Tennessee | 35% |
| New Mexico | 34.6% |
| Michigan | 34.4% |
| Missouri | 34.4% |
| Maryland | 34.3% |
| Virginia | 34.2% |
| Illinois | 34.1% |
| Delaware | 33.9% |
| Georgia | 33.9% |
| Wisconsin | 33.9% |
| Alaska | 33.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 33.3% |
| Minnesota | 32.4% |
| Wyoming | 32% |
| Maine | 31.9% |
| Montana | 31.8% |
| Idaho | 31.6% |
| Arizona | 31.3% |
| Nevada | 31.3% |
| Utah | 30.9% |
| New Hampshire | 30.6% |
| Connecticut | 30.4% |
| Oregon | 30.4% |
| Rhode Island | 30.1% |
| New York | 29.1% |
| Vermont | 29% |
| Washington | 28.8% |
| New Jersey | 28.2% |
| Florida | 28% |
| California | 27.6% |
| Massachusetts | 27.4% |
| Colorado | 25.1% |
| Hawaii | 25% |
| District of Columbia | 24.7% |
| United States | 32.62% |