Most Obese States 2026
Obesity Rate
State | Obesity Rate 2024↓ | 95% Confidence Interval 2024 (% range) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | West Virginia | 41.4% | (39.8, 43.0) |
 | Mississippi | 40.4% | (38.1, 42.7) |
 | Louisiana | 39.2% | (37.4, 41.1) |
 | Alabama | 38.9% | (37.1, 40.7) |
 | Arkansas | 38.9% | (37.2, 40.7) |
 | Indiana | 38.4% | (37.3, 39.5) |
 | Kansas | 37.6% | (36.3, 38.8) |
 | Nebraska | 37.6% | (36.4, 38.9) |
 | Wisconsin | 37.4% | (36.1, 38.7) |
 | Kentucky | 37.2% | (35.5, 38.9) |
 | South Dakota | 37% | (33.8, 40.3) |
 | Ohio | 36.9% | (35.5, 38.4) |
 | North Dakota | 36.8% | (35.2, 38.5) |
 | Oklahoma | 36.8% | (35.4, 38.2) |
 | Delaware | 36.6% | (34.5, 38.9) |
 | Iowa | 36.6% | (35.3, 38.0) |
 | Michigan | 36.1% | (34.8, 37.5) |
 | Texas | 35.6% | (34.0, 37.3) |
 | Georgia | 35.4% | (33.7, 37.1) |
 | Missouri | 34.6% | (33.1, 36.2) |
 | South Carolina | 34.6% | (32.9, 36.4) |
 | New Mexico | 34.5% | (32.1, 37.1) |
 | North Carolina | 34.5% | (32.7, 36.3) |
 | Illinois | 34.2% | (33.1, 35.3) |
 | Nevada | 34.2% | (31.3, 37.3) |
 | Pennsylvania | 34.2% | (32.0, 36.5) |
 | Alaska | 34% | (32.0, 36.0) |
 | Oregon | 33.5% | (32.1, 35.0) |
 | Arizona | 33.3% | (31.4, 35.3) |
 | Maine | 33.2% | (32.1, 34.4) |
 | Idaho | 32.7% | (30.8, 34.7) |
 | Maryland | 32.7% | (31.5, 33.8) |
 | Wyoming | 32.5% | (30.7, 34.3) |
 | Minnesota | 32.3% | (31.4, 33.3) |
 | Virginia | 32.3% | (30.7, 34.0) |
 | Connecticut | 32% | (30.4, 33.6) |
 | Washington | 31.5% | (30.7, 32.2) |
 | New Hampshire | 31.1% | (29.3, 32.9) |
 | Rhode Island | 31.1% | (29.3, 32.9) |
 | Montana | 31% | (29.5, 32.4) |
 | Utah | 31% | (29.9, 32.1) |
 | Florida | 29.6% | (28.1, 31.3) |
 | New York | 29.5% | (28.8, 30.2) |
 | California | 29.1% | (27.6, 30.5) |
 | Vermont | 29% | (27.5, 30.5) |
 | New Jersey | 27.7% | (26.3, 29.0) |
 | Hawaii | 27% | (25.4, 28.6) |
 | Massachusetts | 27% | (25.8, 28.2) |
 | District of Columbia | 25.5% | (23.5, 27.5) |
 | Colorado | 25% | (24.0, 26.0) |
- Confidence Interval is used in statistical estimates and indicates the possible range of values in which the real-world number could land.
Obesity in adults is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The state comparisons here use the CDC’s 2025 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, on a page updated September 24, 2026. These estimates describe adults aged 18 and older and are based on self-reported height and weight from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
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
National estimates and state estimates use different surveys. A separate NCHS report based on NHANES found that 40.3% of U.S. adults aged 20 and older had obesity during August 2021–August 2023. NHANES uses measured height and weight, so that national figure should not be treated as a 2025 BRFSS state estimate.
In the CDC’s 2025 BRFSS results, obesity prevalence was 38.1% among adults without a high school diploma or equivalent, compared with 27.8% among college graduates. The age-group maps showed obesity prevalence of at least 35% in 40 states and two territories among adults aged 40–59, compared with six states and one territory among adults aged 18–39.
Among the 47 states with sufficient overall data in 2025, 40 had obesity prevalence of at least 30%, including 21 with prevalence of at least 35%. No reported state or territory estimate reached 40%. The Midwest and South had the highest regional prevalence, at 35.5% and 34.8%, respectively; the West was at 30.7% and the Northeast at 29.6%.
States with the Highest Reported Adult Obesity Prevalence in 2025
Among states with sufficient 2025 data, the highest reported prevalence estimates were:
| State | Adults with obesity |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 39.7% |
| North Dakota | 39.1% |
| Kentucky | 38.8% |
| Oklahoma | 38.1% |
| Tennessee | 37.9% |
West Virginia’s reported prevalence was 37.4%. See obesity rates by state for a broader comparison.
California, Mississippi, and Nevada had insufficient data for the 2025 overall estimates and are excluded from these rankings. A missing estimate does not mean zero obesity prevalence. Guam and Puerto Rico reported prevalence of 39.6% and 35.9%, respectively, but are not included in the state ranking.
States with the Lowest Reported Adult Obesity Prevalence in 2025
Colorado had the lowest reported state estimate at 25.7%, followed by Hawaii at 26.4%. Massachusetts and New Jersey were tied at 27.0%, followed by New York at 28.5%. The District of Columbia reported 24.2%, lower than any reporting state, but it is a separate jurisdiction rather than a state.
Sources
- Obesity Demographic Data by State - State of Childhood Obesity
- Projected U.S. State-Level Prevalence of Adult Obesity and Severe Obesity - New England Journal of Medicine
- Healthy Communities of Florida - Florida Department of Health
- Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps, 2025 BRFSS Data - CDC
- Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults, August 2021–August 2023 - NCHS Data Brief 508
