Which U.S. State has the Highest Obesity Rate?

Hey, I thought Ralph lived in NYC?

Jul 30, 2024

Which U.S. State has the Highest Obesity Rate?

Visual Capitalist?

Adult obesity rates in 2022 by U.S. state and territory. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30.

Figures come from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are updated as of January 2024. Obesity figures are based on self-reported height and weight.

Key Takeaways

All U.S. states and territories had an obesity rate of over 20%

Overall, the Midwest (35.8%) and South (35.6%) had the highest rates, followed by the Northeast (30.5%) and West (29.5%)

West Virginia had the highest obesity rate across the country at 41%, followed by Louisiana and Oklahoma at 40%. These states, characterized by high rural populations and poverty rates, often contain food deserts–areas where access to fresh and healthy foods is limited, leading residents to rely more on fast food and other nutritionally poor options