Atlanta, GA–In 2018, nine states reported an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35 percent: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
This comes from the new obesity prevalence maps released on September 12 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The maps break down adult obesity prevalence by race, ethnicity, and location based on self-reported height and weight data.
Obesity prevalence ranged from 23.0 percent in Colorado to 39.5 percent in Mississippi and West Virginia
Combined data from 2016-2018 showed notable differences by race and ethnicity:
- 2 states had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among non-Hispanic white adults
- 9 states had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among Hispanic adults
- 29 states and the District of Columbia had an obesity prevalence of 35 percent or higher among non-Hispanic black adults.
Adults with obesity are at increased risk for many serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and poorer mental health.
Obesity costs the United States health care system over $147 billion a year. In addition, research has shown that obesity affects work productivity and military readiness.
