What are the most obese states in the U.S.?
West Virginia has the highest adult obesity rate at 40.6% according to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. The District of Columbia has the lowest adult obesity rate at 25%.
The adult obesity rate is now around 33% in the US and 11% of students are obese. 21 states have an adult obesity rate higher than 35%.
What are the top 10 obese states in the United States?
West Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Dakota, Ohio and Missouri are the 10 states with the highest rates of obesity in the United States, according to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.
- West Virginia (40.6%)
- Kentucky (40.3%)
- Alabama (39.9%)
- Oklahoma (39.4%)
- Mississippi (39.1%)
- Arkansas (38.7%)
- Louisiana (38.6%)
- South Dakota (38.4%)
- Ohio (37.8%)
- Missouri (37.3%)
What is the obesity rate by states in the US?
| Rank | State | Obesity rate (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 40.6% |
| 2 | Kentucky | 40.3% |
| 3 | Alabama | 39.9% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 39.4% |
| 5 | Mississippi | 39.1% |
| 6 | Arkansas | 38.7% |
| 7 | Louisiana | 38.6% |
| 8 | South Dakota | 38.4% |
| 9 | Ohio | 37.8% |
| 10 | Missouri | 37.3% |
| 11 | Iowa | 36.4% |
| 12 | Indiana | 36.3% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 36.1% |
| 14 | Texas | 36.1% |
| 15 | Kansas | 36.0% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 36.0% |
| 17 | Puerto Rico | 36.0% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 35.9% |
| 19 | Virgin Islands | 35.6% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 35.2% |
| 21 | Tennessee | 35.0% |
| 22 | New Mexico | 34.6% |
| 23 | Michigan | 34.4% |
| 24 | Maryland | 34.3% |
| 25 | Illinois | 34.2% |
| 26 | Virginia | 34.2% |
| 27 | Delaware | 33.9% |
| 28 | Georgia | 33.9% |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 33.9% |
| 30 | Alaska | 33.5% |
| 31 | Guam | 33.5% |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | 33.3% |
| 33 | Minnesota | 32.4% |
| 34 | Wyoming | 32.0% |
| 35 | Maine | 31.9% |
| 36 | Montana | 31.8% |
| 37 | Idaho | 31.6% |
| 38 | Arizona | 31.3% |
| 39 | Nevada | 31.3% |
| 40 | Utah | 30.9% |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 30.6% |
| 42 | Connecticut | 30.4% |
| 43 | Oregon | 30.4% |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 30.1% |
| 45 | New York | 29.1% |
| 46 | Vermont | 29.0% |
| 47 | Washington | 28.8% |
| 48 | New Jersey | 28.2% |
| 49 | Florida | 28.0% |
| 50 | California | 27.6% |
| 51 | Massachusetts | 27.4% |
| 52 | Colorado | 25.1% |
| 53 | Hawaii | 25.0% |
| 54 | District of Columbia | 24.7% |
Data Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Defining Adult Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to define healthy, overweight and obesity. Use the BMI Calculator to find your BMI.
- If your BMI is < 18.5: Underweight range.
- If your BMI is 18.5 to <25: Healthy weight range.
- If your BMI is 25.0 to <30: Overweight range.
- If your BMI <= 30.0: Obesity range.