States with the Highest and Lowest Obesity Rates in the U.S.

Home » Immigrant Life » States with the Highest and Lowest Obesity Rates in the U.S.

The world has an obesity problem, and the United States has one of the worst — especially compared with other developed nations.

U.S. Adult Obesity Rates by State

Based on CDC data:

West Virginia stands out with the highest adult obesity rate at 40.1%.
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ohio are not far behind, each with rates above 38%.

In contrast:

The District of Columbia has the lowest rate at 24.3%.
Colorado, Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey all have rates below 30%. Although this may seem high on a global scale, it is comparatively lower within the U.S.

Geographically, southern states tend to have higher obesity rates than Northern ones, and the East Coast generally has higher rates than the West Coast.

A Guide to the Top 8 Weight Loss Supplements and OTC Pills of 2023

Weight loss can be a challenging process, and sometimes it's hard to know where to turn for help.

Health02023/10/13

Why Does the South Have a Higher Obesity Rate Than the North?

Several factors contribute to the higher obesity rates observed in the Southern United States:

Socioeconomic Factors: A study examining states like Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Colorado identified a correlation between increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) and various socioeconomic indicators. Specifically, populations with incomes below the poverty line, dependence on food stamps, and higher unemployment rates, tend to exhibit significantly elevated obesity rates.
Dietary Habits: The quintessential Southern diet is characteristically rich in fats and fried foods, which can contribute to weight gain when consumed in excess.
Demographic Considerations: The South has a significant proportion of its population residing in rural areas, as well as a substantial number of African-American women. Both of these groups historically display higher obesity rates.
Health Complications: The South registers elevated mortality rates from conditions like heart disease and strokes. These health challenges, often associated with obesity, suggest a cyclical relationship where obesity leads to health issues, which in turn can exacerbate obesity-related challenges due to decreased mobility or increased medical complications.

Ranking the Most and Least Obese Countries in the World

Around the world, over 500 million people face challenges related to obesity. The rate of global obesity has more than doubled since the 1980s.

Health02023/10/13

U.S. Teen Obesity Rates by State

The obesity epidemic isn’t limited to adults. Alarmingly, U.S. teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17 also display worrying obesity rates, with the South and East Coast often topping the charts.

States with High Teen Obesity Rates:

West Virginia stands out with a staggering 26% obesity rate among teens.
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama are close followers, each with rates exceeding 22%.

States with Lower Teen Obesity Rates:

Montana claims the lowest rate, with only 10.2% of its teens classified as obese.
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and North Dakota also fare better, all registering teen obesity rates under 13%.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) Chart and Calculation Explained

For most adults, the higher the BMI, the more body fat they have.

Health02023/10/12

Complete Table of Obesity Rates by State

State	Adult Obesity	Children Obesity
AlabamaAL	38.3%	22.1%
AlaskaAK	32.1%	14.2%
ArizonaAZ	33.2%	14.4%
ArkansasAR	37.4%	19.1%
CaliforniaCA	28.1%	14.4%
ColoradoCO	25.0%	10.8%
ConnecticutCT	30.6%	17.0%
DelawareDE	37.9%	16.8%
District of ColumbiaDC	24.3%	17.3%
FloridaFL	31.6%	16.2%
GeorgiaGA	37.0%	16.8%
GuamGU	32.7%
HawaiiHI	25.9%	17.1%
IdahoID	33.2%	13.4%
IllinoisIL	33.4%	16.1%
IndianaIN	37.7%	15.5%
IowaIA	37.4%	17.6%
KansasKS	35.7%	13.6%
KentuckyKY	37.7%	25.5%
LouisianaLA	40.1%	24.0%
MaineME	33.1%	14.6%
MarylandMD	33.2%	20.3%
MassachusettsMA	27.2%	13.8%
MichiganMI	34.5%	17.1%
MinnesotaMN	33.6%	13.4%
MississippiMS	39.5%	23.1%
MissouriMO	36.4%	18.9%
MontanaMT	30.5%	10.2%
NebraskaNE	35.3%	13.6%
NevadaNV	33.5%	18.2%
New HampshireNH	30.2%	15.2%
New JerseyNJ	29.1%	16.1%
New MexicoNM	32.4%	20.9%
New YorkNY	30.1%	15.6%
North CarolinaNC	34.1%	21.0%
North DakotaND	35.4%	12.6%
OhioOH	38.1%	15.8%
OklahomaOK	40.0%	17.5%
OregonOR	30.9%	14.5%
PennsylvaniaPA	33.4%	16.0%
Puerto RicoPR	34.1%
Rhode IslandRI	30.8%	13.2%
South CarolinaSC	35.0%	21.6%
South DakotaSD	36.8%	18.9%
TennesseeTN	38.9%	22.5%
TexasTX	35.5%	20.7%
UtahUT	31.1%	12.0%
VermontVT	26.8%	15.7%
Virgin IslandsVI	32.1%
VirginiaVA	35.2%	17.6%
WashingtonWA	31.7%	13.3%
West VirginiaWV	41.0%	26.0%
WisconsinWI	37.7%	14.9%
WyomingWY	34.3%	11.5%

Trusted Website PubMed is a data base from US National Institutes of Health. It’s a trusted source of health and medical information. Open the link →

4 references

[1]. CDC. Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps

[2]. State of Childhood Obesity. Ages 10 – 17.

[3]. Akil L, Ahmad HA. Effects of socioeconomic factors on obesity rates in four southern states and Colorado. Ethn Dis. 2011 Winter;21(1):58-62. PMID: 21462731; PMCID: PMC3101796.

[4]. Seattle Times, Mike Stobbe. Why is the South so heavy?

Derek Yang

I'm an immigrant living with my family in a small town on the East Coast. I love classical music, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for BMWs. I believe in lifelong learning and look forward to connecting with you to share our life experiences. Twitter @mrderekyang.

Disclosure: We are an Amazon Associate. Some links on this website are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or receive a referral fee when you sign up or make a purchase through those links.