Roughly one in three American adults now has obesity, a share that has climbed steadily for decades and shows up unevenly across the map. The leanest states sit around 25%, while the heaviest approach 40% — a gap that tracks closely with income, education, and region. This guide shows the national obesity trend, maps the rate for every state, and explains the geography behind the numbers, using the CDC's self-reported BRFSS survey data.
How common is obesity in the U.S.?
By the CDC's measure, about a third of U.S. adults have obesity — defined as a body mass index of 30 or higher — and the rate has risen markedly even over the short span shown here. These are self-reported figures from a large annual phone survey, so they likely understate the true rate (people tend to under-report weight), but the upward trend and the state-to-state differences are clear and consistent.
Which states have the highest obesity rates?
The map shades each state by adult obesity prevalence. The highest rates cluster in the South and Midwest — states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and their neighbors often top 38–40%. The lowest rates are in Colorado and a handful of Western and Northeastern states, closer to 25%. The ranking below lists every state from highest to lowest.
Why obesity varies so much by state
The geography of obesity mirrors the geography of income and education: states with higher poverty and lower college-attainment rates tend to have higher obesity, reflecting differences in food access, the cost of healthy eating, physical activity, and the kinds of jobs people work. These are population-level patterns, not judgments about individuals — they point to the powerful role that environment and economics play in health outcomes across the country.
Obesity has climbed for decades
The state map is a snapshot, but the trend behind it spans decades. In 1990 no U.S. state had an adult obesity rate above about 15%; today every state is well above that and many exceed 35% — a rise driven by cheaper, more abundant, more processed food, more sedentary work and travel, and larger portions. The costs are enormous: obesity raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and several cancers, and drives a large share of U.S. health-care spending. That steady upward climb is one of the country’s defining public-health challenges.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of U.S. adults have obesity?
About a third — roughly 33% by the CDC's self-reported survey, up from around 27% in 2011. The latest figure is shown above.
Which state has the highest obesity rate?
States in the South and Midwest, such as West Virginia and Mississippi, typically have the highest rates, approaching 40%. The full ranking is shown above.
Which state has the lowest obesity rate?
Colorado is consistently among the lowest, near 25%, along with several other Western and Northeastern states.
How is obesity measured?
By body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The CDC's BRFSS data are self-reported, so they likely understate the true prevalence.
Why does obesity vary by state?
It tracks closely with income and education, which shape food access, the cost of healthy eating, physical activity, and the type of work people do.