Most obese US states revealed in new report — did yours make the list?
It’s a heavy truth to bear.
US News has weighed in on America’s ever-expanding waistline, ranking the country’s most
obese states — and the results may leave you reconsidering that greasy burrito.
US News’ new 2025 Best States report ranks the country’s most obese states.Creativa Images – stock.adobe.com
Topping the list is West Virginia, where nearly 41% of adults are classified as obese, giving the Mountain State a not-so-slim lead over its neighbors.
Next are Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee — where the obesity rate is as high as 37.8%.
Meanwhile, Colorado — famous for its craft breweries but also for its plethora of outdoor activities — took the lead in states with the lowest obesity rate, coming in at 24.6%.
Following the Centennial State are Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Florida and Montana.
Colorado took the lead in states with the lowest obesity rate, weighing in at 24.6%.MarekPhotoDesign.com – stock.adobe.com
The findings indicate that — even in the least obese state — more than two out of 10 residents are considered obese, lending credence to the belief that
America is fatter than ever.
Prior to 2013, no state in the US had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Clearly, much has changed.
The CDC’s Adult Obesity Prevalence Map, last updated in September 2024.CDC
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index of 30 or higher — and it is associated with an
increased risk of sleep apnea, infertility, depression, heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
The World Health Organization officially declared obesity a global epidemic in 1997, noting that rates had nearly tripled since 1975 — which is when experts believe the epidemic began.
What do you think?
What has remained a hotly debated mystery is why the epidemic rages on, with many pointing the finger at lifestyle factors such as increases in
ultra-processed foods and sedentary behavior.
The good news is that while technology may be making us fatter,
TikTok nutrition hacks and
trendy weight loss drugs offer novel ways to win the battle of the bulge.