Obesity Rate By State

In the shadow of the obesity epidemic that continues to spread across the United States, our investigation dives deep into unveiling the grim reality of this health crisis. As the United States stands 12th when it comes to obesity on a global scale, its national adult obesity rate hovers around 41.9% per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Across the states, the scourge of obesity does not paint a uniform picture. Rather, regional disparities emerge as a salient feature of this health crisis.

• Southern states such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama lead the nation in obesity rates with figures surpassing 36% of the population. 
• High obesity rates are not limited to the South. Midwestern states like Oklahoma, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio also report troubling obesity rates above 34%.
• The states with the lowest obesity rates are predominantly located in the west or northeast region of the country. These include Colorado, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Vermont, with obesity rates ranging from 23.8% to 26.6%.
• In general, there is a clear geographical trend. Southern and Midwestern states tend to have higher obesity rates, while Western and Northeastern states generally report lower rates.
• The data indicates a significant range in obesity rates - from the highest, Mississippi, at 40.8%, to the lowest, Colorado, at 23.8%.