Obesity remains one of the biggest public health challenges in the United States. Although in some states the situation shows signs of stabilization, the most recent data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that millions of people live with this condition and that, in several states, more than a third of the adult population is obese.

West Virginia once again takes first place in the national rankings. There, more than 40% of adults are obese, a figure that reflects the magnitude of the problem and the differences that exist between different regions of the country.

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The 10 states with the highest obesity

According to the CDC report based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, these are the states with the highest rates of obesity among adults:

In total, 19 states register a prevalence equal to or greater than 35%, while just a decade ago that figure was much lower. The phenomenon especially affects the south and part of the midwest of the country.

What are the states with the least obesity?

At the opposite extreme are several states in the west and northeast. The five with the lowest percentage of adults with obesity are:

Colorado continues to be the state with the lowest prevalence, at around 25%, well below West Virginia.

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What explains these differences?

Specialists maintain that there is no single cause. Obesity is influenced by multiple factors, such as access to healthy foods, income level, opportunities for physical activity, education, health coverage, chronic diseases, and genetic and environmental factors.

The differences between states also reflect economic and social inequalities that directly influence the health of the population.

Obesity also strongly affects Latino adults

CDC data shows that obesity is especially high among Hispanic adults in the United States. Combining information collected between 2022 and 2024, 33 states and territories recorded an obesity prevalence of 35% or greater within this population.

The figure confirms that the problem is not evenly distributed and that there are important differences based on race, ethnicity, place of residence and socioeconomic conditions. Factors that may play a role include limited access to healthy foods, lack of safe spaces to exercise, long work hours, the cost of health care, and barriers to receiving preventive treatments.

What risks does obesity entail?

The CDC reminds that obesity increases the risk of developing numerous diseases, including:

Additionally, it can affect mobility, quality of life and mental health.

How to calculate

The report uses the Body Mass Index (BMI) to estimate the prevalence of obesity. An adult is considered obese when they have a BMI equal to or greater than 30.

The figures come from the BRFSS survey, in which participants report their weight and height. The CDC itself clarifies that these data may slightly underestimate the true prevalence, since they do not come from direct clinical measurements.

A problem that continues to grow

Although the emergence of new weight loss treatments and greater awareness about diet could change the trend in the coming years, obesity continues to affect tens of millions of Americans.

Health authorities insist that prevention involves combining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, access to medical care and public policies that facilitate healthy habits.

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