The United States has an obesity epidemic, an issue that has reached epic proportions. According to the Food Research and Action Center, 39.6% of American adults are considered obese, with numbers even higher for Black and Hispanic women. Obesity ranks as the second most significant preventable cause of death after smoking and can lead to heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, among others.
24/7 Tempo reviewed data on obesity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report to determine the most obese US states. States were ranked based on the prevalence of self-reported obesity among adults 20 years and older – with obesity being defined as having a body mass index of 30.0 and above.
The highest obesity rates are in Southern states, whereas the lowest rates are found in the West and Northeast regions. In 16 states, a minimum of 35% of adults are obese, and the top three states – Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama – have rates that approach nearly 40%.
Several factors contribute to obesity. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many of these components are various eating patterns, physical activity levels (or lack thereof), and sleep routines. Other contributing factors that can play a role are health, genetics, and taking certain medications. Poor eating choices combined with a lack of awareness about the significance of staying physically fit all contribute to this unsettling pattern. ( This is how long you need to exercise to burn off the calories from your favorite foods .)
Several lifestyle factors are likely contributing to the excess weight problem among Americans, including a sedentary lifestyle – and 17 of the 20 states with the highest adult obesity rate report a lower share of adults exercising than the national share. These 17 states have a higher share of adults reporting being in poor or fair health than the U.S. as a whole. Additionally, only two of those 20 states report a diabetes rate (slightly) lower than the national rate.
Methodology
24/7 Tempo reviewed data on obesity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report to determine the most obese US states. States were ranked based on the prevalence of self-reported obesity among adults 20 years and older – with obesity being defined as having a body mass index of 30.0 and above. Supplemental data on the percentage of adults 18 and over who report no regular leisure time activity (including exercise), the percentage of adults 20 and above with diagnosed diabetes, and the percentage of adults 18 and over who report fewer than seven hours of sleep on average also came from the CHR.
Here are the most obese US States, Ranked
50. Colorado
Adult obesity rate: 24.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 16.50% — 2nd lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.00% — 3rd lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.20% — 3rd lowest
49. Massachusetts
Adult obesity rate: 24.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.40% — 10th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.70% — 8th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 9th lowest
48. Hawaii
Adult obesity rate: 25.00%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.40% — 7th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.40% — 24th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.30% — 4th lowest
47. Vermont
Adult obesity rate: 26.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.10% — 3rd lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 6.70% — the lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.60% — 7th lowest
46. New York
Adult obesity rate: 26.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.20% — 12th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.10% — 22nd lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 18th lowest
45. New Jersey
Adult obesity rate: 27.70%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.20% — 15th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.60% — 17th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 8th lowest
44. Washington
Adult obesity rate: 28.00%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.50% — 4th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.80% — 10th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 17th lowest
43. Nevada
Adult obesity rate: 28.10%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.90% — 13th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.90% — 18th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 16.70% — 8th highest
42. Florida
Adult obesity rate: 28.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.80% — 8th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.50% — 23rd highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 13.30% — 21st highest
41. Oregon
Adult obesity rate: 28.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 17.60% — 5th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.40% — 15th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.70% — 25th highest
40. Montana
Adult obesity rate: 28.90%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.00% — 6th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.70% — 9th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.10% — 21st lowest
39. Utah
Adult obesity rate: 29.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 16.30% — the lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.50% — 16th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.90% — 11th lowest
38. Connecticut
Adult obesity rate: 29.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.20% — 14th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.20% — 14th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.00% — 12th lowest
37. California
Adult obesity rate: 30.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.10% — 20th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.20% — 23rd lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 14.40% — 18th highest
36. New Hampshire
Adult obesity rate: 30.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.60% — 8th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.40% — 4th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.80% — 10th lowest
35. Minnesota
Adult obesity rate: 30.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 18.70% — 9th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.80% — 11th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.00% — the lowest
34. Wyoming
Adult obesity rate: 30.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.60% — 24th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.50% — 6th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.50% — 14th lowest
33. Rhode Island
Adult obesity rate: 30.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 22.90% — 22nd highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.00% — 20th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 16th lowest
32. Maryland
Adult obesity rate: 30.90%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.60% — 18th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.10% — 21st lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.60% — 6th lowest
31. Idaho
Adult obesity rate: 31.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.70% — 11th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.90% — 12th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.80% — 19th lowest
30. Maine
Adult obesity rate: 31.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.70% — 12th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.20% — 13th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.10% — 13th lowest
29. Arizona
Adult obesity rate: 31.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.60% — 23rd lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.70% — 21st highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 14.50% — 16th highest
28. Pennsylvania
Adult obesity rate: 31.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.40% — 21st highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.70% — 22nd highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 13.10% — 22nd highest
27. New Mexico
Adult obesity rate: 31.70%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 22.50% — 24th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.00% — 12th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 13.80% — 19th highest
26. Alaska
Adult obesity rate: 31.80%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.10% — 21st lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.40% — 5th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.20% — 22nd lowest
25. Virginia
Adult obesity rate: 32.40%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.40% — 17th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.80% — 20th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.40% — 25th lowest
24. Illinois
Adult obesity rate: 32.50%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.40% — 17th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.30% — 24th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.30% — 23rd lowest
23. Wisconsin
Adult obesity rate: 32.70%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 19.80% — 13th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 7.60% — 7th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.40% — 24th lowest
22. South Dakota
Adult obesity rate: 33.40%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.60% — 25th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 6.90% — 2nd lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.40% — 5th lowest
21. North Carolina
Adult obesity rate: 33.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.90% — 25th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.00% — 11th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 13.50% — 20th highest
20. North Dakota
Adult obesity rate: 33.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.60% — 15th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.30% — 25th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 11.60% — 15th lowest
19. Nebraska
Adult obesity rate: 34.00%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.00% — 19th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.90% — 19th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 10.20% — 2nd lowest
18. Missouri
Adult obesity rate: 34.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.90% — 14th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.40% — 25th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.20% — 12th highest
17. Georgia
Adult obesity rate: 34.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 24.50% — 16th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 10.60% — 14th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.10% — 14th highest
16. Michigan
Adult obesity rate: 35.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 20.20% — 16th lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 10.60% — 15th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 14.70% — 15th highest
15. Kansas
Adult obesity rate: 35.80%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 21.40% — 22nd lowest
Adults who have diabetes: 9.90% — 19th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.80% — 24th highest
14. Texas
Adult obesity rate: 35.80%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.40% — 11th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 12.00% — 6th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.70% — 10th highest
13. Ohio
Adult obesity rate: 35.80%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.50% — 20th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 10.90% — 13th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 14.50% — 17th highest
12. Tennessee
Adult obesity rate: 35.80%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.60% — 18th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 12.50% — 5th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.70% — 11th highest
11. Delaware
Adult obesity rate: 36.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 23.60% — 19th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 10.50% — 16th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.80% — 23rd highest
10. South Carolina
Adult obesity rate: 36.70%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.60% — 10th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.90% — 7th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.90% — 9th highest
9. Kentucky
Adult obesity rate: 37.00%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 29.30% — the highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.40% — 10th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 19.50% — 2nd highest
8. Oklahoma
Adult obesity rate: 37.10%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 27.90% — 5th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.80% — 8th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 17.30% — 7th highest
7. Indiana
Adult obesity rate: 37.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 25.60% — 9th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 10.50% — 17th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 15.10% — 13th highest
6. Arkansas
Adult obesity rate: 37.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 28.80% — 3rd highest
Adults who have diabetes: 11.70% — 9th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 19.40% — 3rd highest
5. Iowa
Adult obesity rate: 37.20%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 22.70% — 23rd highest
Adults who have diabetes: 8.90% — 18th lowest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 12.00% — 20th lowest
4. Louisiana
Adult obesity rate: 38.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 28.20% — 4th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 12.70% — 4th highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 19.00% — 4th highest
3. Alabama
Adult obesity rate: 39.30%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 27.80% — 6th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 13.00% — 3rd highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 18.90% — 5th highest
2. West Virginia
Adult obesity rate: 39.60%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 27.40% — 7th highest
Adults who have diabetes: 13.10% — 2nd highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 20.00% — the highest
1. Mississippi
Adult obesity rate: 39.90%
Adults who don’t exercise regularly: 28.90% — 2nd highest
Adults who have diabetes: 13.20% — the highest
Adults who report being in poor or fair health: 18.70% — 6th highest
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